Title: Explain the purpose of sensory evaluation panels and how to conduct a sensory panel, using appropriate controls.
Course: Food Science and Dietetics (19254) > Section: Examining Product Development

Explanation should include

- comparing reasons for evaluating food products subjectively and objectively
- listing physical, psychological, cultural, and environmental influence on food preferences
- explaining how taste and aroma contribute to giving foods their flavors
- conducting a taste-test panel.

Process/Skill Questions:

Thinking

- What factors affect a person’s ability to detect flavors?
- What is taste bias?
- What factors affect a person’s ability to taste?
- Why is sensory evaluation important in the food industry?

Communication

- How can the evaluation documentation and format affect the evaluation outcomes?
- What are the possible effects of the design of the sensory testing area?

Leadership

- How might panelists best be contacted and recruited?
- What effect might panelists’ backgrounds and demographics have on evaluation outcomes?
- Why is evaluator training an important consideration, and how might it influence results?

Management

- How should target market demographics inform panelist recruitment?
- What factors should be considered in the choice of a taste-panel facility?
- Why would time of day be an important consideration when designing a sensory evaluation?