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Abstract: Methods to collect sensory profiles relying directly on consumers’ perceptions are increasingly employed. A consumer test method simultaneously collecting information about the consumer background, appropriateness rating for specific sensory properties, hedonic ratings and a sensory profile by the Check-All-That-Apply (CATA) technique is reported. In this exploratory “All-In-One Test” (AI1), subjects (N =160) filled out a questionnaire with demographic and psychographic variables, and appropriateness ratings for specific sensory descriptors of beer. Subsequently, subjects gave hedonic ratings for six beers and assessed the presence of specific sensory properties by CATA. The dataset was analyzed by L-shaped Partial Least Square Regression (L-PLSR) to link product information (X), liking ratings (Y) and consumer background information (Z). The CATA technique effectively discriminated between all beers and identified the underlying sensory dimensions. Consumer psychographics – particularly previous knowledge and interest in beer – explained liking better than demographics. Appropriateness correlated well with liking for some sensory properties, whereas others showed large discrepancy between appropriateness and actual hedonic response. Overall, the AI1 test provided interpretable results concerning consumer perception (sensory/hedonic) of the beers, and revealed relations with consumers’ background information. Initial results with AI1 test show that it is an efficient and versatile approach for exploratory product testing with consumers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Explicit account of contextual variables can enhance the ability to understand and predict consumers’ food-related behavior. One aspect that has hitherto received little attention is whether context equally affects familiar and unfamiliar food products. The matter is investigated in four consumer studies ( N = 76, N = 97, N = 93, and N = 145), using beer images varying in familiarity as test stimuli. Using the situational appropriateness framework, we derived a quantitative characterization of product – context associations, revealing major differences between beers. The data analysis showed a two-dimensional product space that separated beers according to familiarity and beer styles. Familiar beers were primarily considered appropriate for refreshments and while attending sport events, while novel ones were perceived as more self-indulgent and appropriate for dining events and special occasions. These associations were robust across studies, suggesting that contextual evaluations are important in this product category. The level of familiarity strongly correlated with usage versatility, and significantly affected the perceived appropriateness for specific usage-contexts, possibly acting as a cue to infer product quality and performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Basic taste solutions induce sensory perceptions via taste receptors and give rise to specific facial reactions. Many of these have been shown to be innate. The aim of this study was to explore relationships between the sensory perception of basic taste solutions at different concentrations and facial reactions. Basic taste solutions each at three levels plus water were served to a panel. The assessors individually identified quality, intensity and pleasantness. They were recorded during tasting and their facial reactions (based on FACS) were coded and analysed. Facial reactions indicated both quality and concentration of the stimuli. The intensity of most facial reactions increased with increasing stimulus concentration, most pronounced for sourness (lips) and bitterness (eyes and forehead). Pleasantness ratings decreased with increasing concentrations of all basic tastes. Water and the lowest sucrose concentration were perceived as the most pleasant samples and gave rise to the lowest intensity of facial reactions. The study showed that a combination of sensory analyses and facial expressions was successful in adding further insight to the knowledge of perception of basic tastes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The aim of the study was to determine the performance of a sensory panel in evaluation of carrots by investigating the effect of training sessions on the reliability of the sensory attributes. A sensory panel (n =10) was trained in profiling five carrot genotypes during a training session with seven sensory replications and 13 attributes. A significant effect of training on the sensory profile was determined for bitterness, green flavour and burning aftertaste, indicating that a learning process in judging these attributes was taking place. Terpene flavour, terpene aroma and burning aftertaste were the most reliable determined attributes and carrot flavour, soapiness flavour and nutty flavour were the least reliable attributes. The developed sensory profile was applied on 16 carrot types with a large variation in quality. Winter hardiness, carrot genotype and carrot colour formed distinct groups within the sensory profile, which indicates that the present sensory profile is relevant for assessing sensory quality of carrots. The winter hardy genotypes were characterised by having relatively high intensities in green aroma, carrot aroma, nutty flavour, carrot flavour and sweetness, while the reverse was true for the Nantes types and the coloured carrots with the red and white genotype as being the most extreme. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Flavour compounds vary in physicochemical properties and therefore behave differently in foods with different fat content. The objective was to investigate differences in dynamic flavour intensity in a realistic food system and relate them to two relevant molecular descriptors for flavour compounds. Ice creams with different fat levels (3%, 6% and 12% milk fat) and flavouring (β-ionone (berry), δ-nonalactone (coconut), isopentyl acetate (banana), vanillin (vanilla)) were examined. Approximately iso-intense concentrations (in 12% fat) were selected. Samples were analysed with time-intensity methodology, evaluating perceived melt rate and flavour intensity (trained panel N=12, 3 replicates). Data were analysed by ANOVA, principal component analysis (PCA) and ANOVA partial least squares regression (APLSR). Analyses of data showed faster perceived melt rates and faster increases and decreases in dynamic flavour perception with lower fat levels. Individual flavour compounds were not affected similarly by changes in fat level. Increase and decrease rates of dynamic flavour perception were related to boiling points and hydrophobicity of the flavour compounds. Isopentyl acetate with the lowest boiling point had the fastest increase rate and the slowest decrease rate in intensity. Vanillin with the lowest hydrophobicity index (logP) had the fastest decrease rate. δ-nonalactone and β-ionone with high boiling points and high logP had similar increase rates as vanillin, but had a slower decrease rate in flavour intensity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Preschoolers' texture preferences can be assessed by a forced-choice questionnaire. • Children preferred foods without particles, which was related to food neophobia. • Older children preferred soft foods more than younger children. • Texture preferences significantly differed between parents and children. • Agreement between the questionnaire and actual preference test increased with age. Rejection of specific food textures in young children can be a significant barrier to establishing healthy eating habits. However, the literature on texture preferences in children under seven is sparse, partially due to a lack of suitable test tools for this age range. This study aims to investigate texture preferences in 3 to 6-year-old children and their parents and identify factors that could influence children's preferences. Children (n = 235) completed a forced-choice questionnaire based on pictographic drawings of 14 pairs of foods differing in hardness (hard versus soft) or particle content (with-particle versus no-particle). Parents completed the same questionnaire and provided information on their feeding practices and children's eating behaviors. To assess the questionnaire's validity, children performed a paired preference test using actual food stimuli corresponding to 6 food pairs in the questionnaire. Results showed that children preferred foods without particles, and such preference was associated with food neophobia. Children did not show distinct preferences for foods differing in hardness, but older children preferred soft foods more than younger children. Texture preferences significantly differed between parents and children, with a low concordance between parent–child dyads (49–55 %). Parental restrictive feeding was associated with children's rejection of particles in foods, whereas children's experience with different textures was associated with preferences for foods containing particles. Moreover, the questionnaire showed agreement with children's preferences measured using actual foods, and the validity increased with age. This study demonstrated that young children's texture preferences follow developmental trends and depend on the eating environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Pan-EU study on the effect of 'dish-of-the-day' nudge strategy on older consumers. • Nudging by 'dish-of-the day' did not influence older people's plant-based dish choice. • Gender, country, sensory dimension, universalism and security influenced choice. • Improved dietary quality for older consumers requires combination of strategies. Abstract A quasi-experimental study was designed to promote novel plant-based dishes using the nudging strategy 'dish of the day' among older consumers in Denmark, France, Italy and the United Kingdom. Participants were presented with three dish options: veggie balls, meatballs and fish cakes. In the intervention situation, participants were informed that the 'dish of the day' was the novel plant-based 'veggie balls'. Thereafter, participants were asked to choose one of three dishes to intake and then fill a questionnaire. No statistically significant difference in dish choice was found between the control group and intervention group in the four countries. Males were less likely to choose the plant-based dish when compared with the females. Participants from the United Kingdom and Denmark were more likely to choose the plant-based dish when compared with participants from France. High scores of security dimension from the Human Value Scale was negatively associated with choice of plant-based dish, while high scores of the sensory dimension from Food Choice Questionnaire and high scores of the universalism dimension from Human Values Scale were positively related to the choice of the plant-based dish. The 'dish of the day' nudging approach did not influence older people's plant-based dish choice. Gender, country, and dimensions of sensory, universalism and security were critical factors influencing an older people's plant-based food choice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Determination of food preferences and perceptions by one food attribute. • Portion sizes create conflict, small is healthy but large is tasty. • No differences in preference and perceptions for age, sex, BMI or hunger. A key determinant of children's health is the quality and quantity of their food and energy intake. In middle childhood children gain greater independence over their food choices. Understanding the factors that influence their choices is therefore important, particularly in the context of obesogenic food environments where children need to learn to identify and select healthier options. This study aimed to examine the role of food attributes in affecting children's food preferences and perception of healthiness and tastiness. A secondary aim was to determine if portion size was related to children's food perceptions and preferences. Participants (children 5–12 years) completed a discrete choice experiment (n = 2112) that examined their perceptions of bread and smoothies when the attributes of type/flavour, food form and portion size were systematically varied. Children were asked about their (i) food preferences, and their perceptions of (ii) healthiness and (iii) tastiness. Data were analyzed using a conditional logit model for the foods independently, and the relative contribution of the attributes to children's preferences, and perceptions of healthiness and tastiness was determined. The results found that children primarily used the type/flavour of the breads and smoothies to form their preferences and perceptions, and the other attributes (portion size and food form), had minimal influence. This study found that children aged 5–12 years made simple food choices and formed perceptions of how healthy or tasty a food was based on a single food characteristic (the type/flavour), ignoring the portion size and food form. This suggests that when children in middle childhood make food choices, they are likely to rely primarily on the food's flavour or type and do not consider other important attributes that will affect their diet quality and energy balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study provides a more holistic view on consumers’ hedonic food experience compared to what is traditionally seen in sensory research, by integrating the hedonic sensory experience and post-ingestive sensations in one study to understand food satisfaction. The study was performed using apple-cherry fruit drinks with different levels of beta-glucans and different sweeteners, sucrose or Stevia rebaudiana . The aims were: 1) to study the hedonic sensory experience, 2) to study time and product effects on post-ingestive sensations and satisfaction, and 3) to study main drivers of satisfaction. A randomized cross-over consumer study was conducted using 66 subjects. Hedonic ratings of sensory perceptions were collected immediately after intake, and subjective ratings of post-ingestive sensations were collected pre intake and in 10 min intervals up to 40 min post intake. Significant hedonic differences of sensory properties were found between all fruit drinks, except between the fruit drinks varying in type of sweetener only. Differences in post-ingestive sensations were found immediately – and 10 min post intake between fruit drinks with and without added beta glucan. Satisfaction with sensory attributes was found to be the main driver of food satisfaction, while post-ingestive sensations drove satisfaction as well. While replacing sucrose with Stevia rebaudiana did not affect the hedonic and post-ingestive sensations, addition of beta glucan resulted in both positive and negative post-ingestive sensations. In general, adding beta glucan without compromising satisfaction is difficult. This study show that a detailed description of hedonic sensory – as well as post-ingestive sensations can bring important information about factors driving consumers’ satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A pictographic questionnaire was developed and validated to measure children's texture preferences. • Children showed consistency in food choice between questionnaire and tasting. • The questionnaire demonstrated test–retest repeatability and validity. • Differences in preferences for hardness or particle content of foods were identified. Methods for measuring food texture preferences in children are based on forced-choice questionnaires where children select their preferred texture within food pairs. However, the validity of these methods has not been well documented. This study aims to develop and validate a questionnaire based on pictographic drawings of 12 pairs of foods differing in hardness or particle content. Children aged 7 to 10 years (n = 97) completed the questionnaire. Three weeks later, a subgroup of these children (n = 75) performed a paired comparison preference test using actual food stimuli corresponding to 6 food pairs in the questionnaire and an acceptance test on two foods varying in the level of hardness (cheese) or particle content (yogurt). Another group of the children (n = 21) was retested with the questionnaire. The average probability of agreement between children's choices in the questionnaire and paired-preference test was 0.67, while the retesting was 0.83. In both assessments, the agreement probability was significantly above the chance level, and there was no significant effect of food pair, age or gender. The questionnaire results revealed differences in preferences for the two textural dimensions. Children showed a lack of a common pattern of hardness preference but a preference for foods without particles. Individual differences in particle preferences were related to food neophobia level, and liking of yogurt varying in the amount of added fruit pieces. The results demonstrated the validity and usefulness of the forced-choice pictographic method to study differences in children's texture preferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid sensory methods are a convenient alternative to conventional descriptive analysis suitable for quickly assessing sensory product differences. As these methods gain in popularity, assessments of their discriminability and reproducibility in food applications are increasingly needed. Moreover, it is of interest to explore whether small adjustments to the existing protocols could improve the results. In this study different variations of two rapid sensory methods, one based on holistic assessment – Napping, and one based on attribute evaluation – Flash Profile, were tested for the evaluation of the flavour in wine. Model wines were developed with control over the sensory differences in terms of sensory characters and sensory intensities (weak to moderate). Some modifications to the classical Napping and Flash Profile protocols were employed in order to improve discriminability, repeatability and accuracy. The results showed that conducting Napping with a panel training on either the method (training on how to arrange samples on the sheet) or the product (familiarisation with the sensory properties of the wines) improved the outcome compared to the classical Napping protocol. The classical Flash Profile protocol and its modified version including a Napping with subsequent attributes generation as the word generation step and limiting the number of attributes for ranking gave a similar sample space. The Napping method could best highlight qualitative sample differences, whereas the Flash Profile provided a more precise product mapping on quantitative differences between model wines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• In older adults, familiarity with a food odor positively predicts its liking. • Familiarity with a food odour is important for correct choice of food odor names. • Ability to correctly identify a food odor is associated with higher ratings of liking. In an aging population, changes in sensory abilities can adversely affect enjoyment of a meal. Age-related changes in identification ability and familiarity of food odors may influence food intake since some foods become less recognizable and attractive, which may affect the individual's health and nutritional condition. The aim of this study was to examine age-related changes in familiarity and the ability to correctly identify everyday food odors in older adults. We also aimed to establish the relationship between these changes and hedonic liking of food odors compared to young adults. The study included 335 participants, 246 older adults and 89 young adults. A positive relationship between familiarity and liking was observed across all food odors. Familiarity and odor identification ability declined with increasing age. The most significant loss in the ability to identify odors was observed for curry, fried meat, and toasted bread, while both age groups identified banana, orange, and vanilla equally well. For older adults with a diminished perception of familiarity and a reduced ability to identify odors correctly, increasing the concentration of the odor improved familiarity and enhanced their ability to identify odors. Our findings support the notion that the familiarity of food odors is an important parameter for the appreciation of food in older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Europe the percentage of citizens aged 65 and over is increasing at an unprecedented rate, and is expected to account for over 30% of the population by 2050. Coupled with an increase in life expectancy, this massive demographic change calls for a major effort to ensure quality of life in our older population. A thorough understanding of the elderly as food consumers, their nutritional needs, their food perception and preferences is increasingly needed. The role of food in healthy aging was a prominent theme at the 6th European Conference on Sensory and Consumer Research, which had quality of life across the life span as a focal point. This short paper is based on a workshop held at the EuroSense meeting, focusing on research from sensory and consumer scientists. The workshop featured contributions focusing on food-related perception, needs and behavior of the elderly, and aimed at demonstrating the relevance of sensory and consumer scientists in promoting food-related well-being in an aging population. The workshop contributions are here reviewed and summarized three main themes: nutritional needs, food perception and aging, and behavioral drivers of food consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The review concentrated on several aspects of oral tactile sensitivity. • Methods in measuring oral tactile sensitivity including their advantages and disadvantages were reviewed. • The review elaborated factors that influenced oral tactile sensitivity. • The association between oral tactile sensitivity and texture perception/preference was discussed. Texture perception and mouthfeel are important factors in food acceptance and rejection. Despite the contribution of oral tactile sensation to perception of food texture, it has been understudied. This review addresses oral tactile sensitivity in relation to measurement methods, factors that influence sensitivity, and its association with texture perception and preference. Notably, the advantages and disadvantages of different testing methods are discussed, including the two-point discrimination task (or two-pin test), the grating orientation test, the letter-identification test, point pressure sensitivity by filaments, and discrimination tests for specific aspects of texture. The effects of age, sex, fungiform papillae, ethnicity, pathological changes and other physiological measures on oral tactile sensitivity are also reviewed. The oral tactile sensitivity tends to decline with advanced age in healthy adults; some pathological changes may have negative influence on the tactile sensitivity; however, the effect of several other factors are contradictory in the literature. Regarding the association between oral tactile sensitivity and texture perception and food preferences, it is suggested that the sensitivity measured by techniques such as the two-point discrimination task or a grating orientation task typically represents a single dimension of texture perception and thus is difficult to link directly to perception of other texture dimensions. The sensitivity to specific texture attributes such as thickness might predict texture perception and preference. The review stresses the importance of further research in oral tactile sensitivity and its role in the perception and liking of various food textures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In several studies, it has been found that repeated exposure to a novel food increases children’s acceptance of the exposure food. The present study, investigated how repeated exposure influences the acceptance of two Nordic berry juices, and whether the development depends on initial liking of the product, in 9–11 year-old children. The study had 317 participants. Two groups of children were exposed to either sea-buckthorn ( n = 92) or aronia ( n = 105) juice eight times, and performed two follow-up sessions 3 and 6 months after the 8th exposure. A third group ( n = 120) served as controls. During pre and post-test sessions all participating children evaluated acceptance of both juices. Intake of sea-buckthorn juice increased significantly over the eight exposures (55.1 ± 7.3 till 108.8 ± 12.3) and remained high after 6 months (131.1 ± 13.2). Intake of aronia juice was only increased at follow-up sessions. Liking did not develop significantly for any of the juices across exposures. When children were grouped by their initial liking increased intake across exposures was observed regardless of initial liking of sea-buckthorn. Liking developed similarly for both juices. A significant increase was found for the ‘initial dislikers’ only. This study demonstrates how exposure effects are influenced by initial liking; it appears that changes in familiarity explain the changes seen for sea-buckthorn among ‘dislikers’. ‘Initial dislikers’ had the most benefit from repeated exposures, but did not reach ‘initial likers’ across eight exposures; more exposures in the group of ‘initial dislikers’ had possibly led to even higher liking and intake. The increased intake observed for ‘neutral likers’ and ‘initial likers’ of sea-buckthorn was not explained by increased familiarity or increased liking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Comparison of profiling methods based on consumer perception: CATA, CATA w/intensity, and Napping. [•] Comparison criteria were discriminative ability, descriptive agreement and configurational congruence. [•] All methods successfully discriminated between samples and provided similar characterization. [•] Choice of methodology should be driven by practical considerations about method specificities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Consumption diversity and frequency of pulses are significantly higher in Spain, whereas in Germany and Denmark, consumers are aware of pulses, yet consume significantly less. • Health benefits of pulses are amongst the main drivers of consumption in all countries investigated, though drivers considering environmental advantages of pulses played a tangential role for consumers. • Barriers involving sensory and preparation properties are apparent in Denmark, and the UK, while digestive problems hinder an incorporation of pulses for German, Spanish, and Polish participants. • Drivers and barriers were correlated with diversity and frequency of consumption, indicating that knowledge does not affect attitudes as much as experience does. Even though pulses are nutritious and environmentally friendly high-protein crops, they are commonly regarded as old-fashioned. Consumption of pulses is low in developed countries, and it has received very limited attention in agricultural and behavioral research over the past years. Based on a pan-European survey, the present study aims to provide extensive insights into consumer perceptions towards pulses. The objective is to identify effective measures to increase consumer acceptance of pulses, and thus potentially increase their share in the daily diets across Europe. Quantitative data was collected in May 2020 through a web-based survey conducted in five different European countries, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Poland, and the United Kingdom (N = 4,916). Quota-based sampling was used to ensure comparability across samples and wide coverage in terms of age, gender, and locality of residence. Using cluster analysis with a subsequent logistic regression, cross-cultural differences were found in terms of relatively high consumption of pulses among Spanish respondents, somewhat lower for Polish, German and UK respondents, and even lower among Danish respondents. Drivers of consumption significantly differed across surveyed samples, mainly being health first, followed by sensory preferences. For respondents from Poland, Spain, and Germany the main reason for not consuming pulses related to problems with digestion, whereas in the Danish and UK samples a neglect related to preparation. Future product development as well as increased information about nutrition and cooking of pulses could potentially increase consumer acceptance. Though, considering cross-cultural differences is important when developing strategies to promote consumption of pulses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The attributes of main course and vegetables were the most important dish factors influencing older participants' total eye fixation time and dish evaluation. • Older participants were most willing to try the dish consisting of mixed vegetables, veggie balls, decorated potatoes and a dish label. • Females, who emphasised healthy eating and cared about price, variety, organic and health value of a dish were more willing to try veggie balls than meatballs. • Most older participants' first gaze settled on the main course area, and they had the longest total eye fixation time on the dish valued as the healthiest. A visually appetising and vegetable-rich dish can be an alternative to the traditional dish for well-functioning older consumers. The aim of this study was to investigate older people's evaluations towards dishes by incorporating dish attributes (main course, potatoes, vegetables, and dish label) with novel dish components. During the test, a total of 100 participants aged from 60 to 91 were invited to verbally rate their willingness to try, perceived familiarity and healthiness towards eight dish combinations presented randomly in the form of pictures. In the meanwhile, 31 participants' eye motions for each dish picture were successfully recorded by an eye-tracker. Through conjoint analysis, main course and vegetables were found to have the highest influence on willingness to try, perceived familiarity, perceived healthiness, and total eye fixation time towards the dish. A labelled dish with meatballs, broccolis and plain potatoes was perceived as the most familiar dish. A dish with veggie balls, mixed vegetables and decorated potatoes was perceived as the healthiest. Older participants were most willing to try the dish consisting of mixed vegetables, veggie balls and decorated potatoes when the dish label was added. Females, who emphasised healthy eating and cared about price, variety, organic and health value of a dish were more willing to try veggie balls than meatballs. Regarding the eye metrics, most participants looked at the main course area first, and had the longest total eye fixation time on the dish valued as the healthiest. In the future, to meet older consumers' demand for daily diet, appropriate selection of dish components with frequent food communication will be indispensable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper introduces the use of best–worst scaling to elicit taste-based preferences and presents a comparison of this scaling methodology with monadic preference ratings elicited on an unstructured line scale. Best–worst scaling (BWS) is a discrete choice task that forces respondents to make a discriminating choice among the samples under investigation by requiring them to select both the best and the worst option in an available (sub)set of samples. In an empirical case study that concerns consumer preferences for minced pork patties, it is found that the results from the two methods are highly correlated. However, there is some evidence to suggest that preference data elicited using best–worst scaling may better enable discovery of differences in sample preferences without being a more difficult test for consumers to take part in. Some of the advantages and disadvantages associated with the application of best–worst scaling in hedonic measurement are noted and discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Evidence for specific loss of intensity perception for savoury and other relevant food odours in older age. • Despite losses in food odour intensity perception in older age, food odour preferences are less affected. • Young adults prefer different food odours than adults of older age. The age-related decline in olfactory function is well established and concerns intensity perception and odor identification. However, the extent to which olfactory decline influences food preferences is less clear. Furthermore, it is unclear whether there are decline patterns relating to food odors, specifically. This study investigated intensity perception and hedonic liking for 14 multi-component food odors and one pure odorant in three groups of older adults (age 60–69, age 70–70, age 80 +) and a group of young adults. In total 335 subjects were tested, 246 old and very old adults and 89 young adults. The age group 60–69 was on par with the young adults, whereas intensity perception declined for the majority of odors for older adults age 70–79 and the very old age 80 +. The largest drop in intensity perception was seen for savory odors; fried meat, mushroom and onion. In contrast, intensity perception for raspberry and orange did not differ between groups of older adults and young adults. Hedonic liking decreased to some degree with increasing age but remained largely the same for savory odors (bacon, mushroom, fried meat and onion). A decline in liking was seen for coffee and thyme. This study shows evidence that age-related decline in intensity perception is food odor specific and some aggregation may occur at a higher concept level for the "savory" category. Furthermore, hedonic liking is not necessarily dependent on the intensity perception as seen for several odors, where declining intensity perception did not impact hedonic liking. This could be explained by changes in dose-response relationships for the group of ageing individuals, which in fact may favor persistence of the food odor liking, despite a decline in their intensity perception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Ethnicity had a considerable influence on the liking of yogurts. • Danish liked homogeneous yogurt, whereas Chinese also liked yogurt with added macro particles. • Both Danish and Chinese showed the lowest liking to yogurt with micro particles. • Tactile acuity and preferred oral processing had no significant influence in liking of yogurts. • Tactile acuity showed a significant effect in the perception of smoothness within Danish subjects. Food perception and liking depend on both product properties and consumer characteristics. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ethnicity, preferred oral processing and lingual tactile acuity on the consumer perception and liking of yogurt. To achieve the aim, six yogurt samples were prepared, including a homogeneous yogurt, a yogurt manufactured with micro particles, and four samples with addition of flakes or cut grains in different concentrations into homogeneous yogurt. Adults (n = 152) including seventy-five Asian Chinese subjects and seventy-seven Caucasian Danish subjects rated their perception and liking of yogurts. Subjects' preferred oral processing were identified according to how they prefer to manipulate food in their mouth ('soft processing likers' and 'firm processing likers'), and their tactile acuity was assessed by von Frey filaments. A descriptive sensory analysis of the yogurt was conducted by a trained panel consisting of 10 assessors. Results showed that ethnicity had a considerable influence on the liking of yogurts. Chinese subjects liked both yogurts containing macro particles (grains or low level of flakes) and homogeneous yogurts with no added particles, whereas Danish subjects significantly decreased their liking of yogurts with addition of particles, either micro or macro. Subjects' preferred oral processing and oral tactile acuity had a less pronounced effect on the liking of yogurts. Differences in texture perception of yogurts were negligible. The present results highlight a significant cultural effect on consumer acceptability and thus underline the importance of conducting the cross-cultural sensory research to the yogurt market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Toppings with different condiments influenced older people's visual preference of maize soup. • Choice of topping could increase maize soup intake (weight and energy) in older people. • Multiple sensory modifications effected food evaluation and consumption most. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of enriched energy density and visual topping on maize soup's intake, overall liking, taste liking, food-evoked emotion and perceived familiarity among older home-dwelling people. This study consisted of two tests: in the first test, the most appetising soup was chosen from six high-energy soups topped with different condiments by testing participants' rankings based only on appearance; while in the second test, participants tasted the most visually appealing maize soup (high-energy maize soup topped with parsley), as well as topping-free high-energy maize soup and low-energy maize soup. Enriched energy density significantly increased the energy intake of maize soup, and visual topping significantly increased both the weighed intake and energy intake of high-energy maize soup. A combined sensory dimension modification of maize soup by enriching energy density and adding visual topping positively affected weighed intake, energy intake, overall liking and food-evoked emotion of maize soup. Slight changes of meal appearance by adding visually appetising toppings could be an effective method to encourage older consumers' food consumption. In addition, combined sensory enhancement for food could have synergetic effect on older people's food consumption and eating experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Asian (Chinese) and Caucasian (Danish) populations differed in oral food processing behavior. • Asians were characterized by larger numbers of 'Soft processing likers'. • Asians and Caucasians were equally sensitive to punctate lingual touch stimulation. • Asians had both greater responsiveness to PROP and Fungiform Papillae Density. Cultural and genetic differences in consumer populations across the world are important determinants for food preferences. The present study investigated differences in preferred oral processing behaviors between Chinese Asian and Danish Caucasian consumers and the possible relationship to lingual tactile acuity and the two most well-researched phenotypic markers of taste sensitivity, such as 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) responsiveness and Fungiform Papillae Density (FPD). A total of 152 consumers (75 Chinese, 77 Danish) were enrolled in the study and categorized by their preferred oral processing behaviors. Lingual tactile acuity was assessed according to responses to stimulation with von Frey filaments. The responsiveness to PROP and the FPD were also determined. Cross-population differences were found in preferred food oral processing behaviors in these two cohorts, as Chinese consumers were characterized by a larger number of 'Soft processing likers' (77% of the population) who preferred soft food processing in the mouth. Contrarily, Danish consumers mostly belonged to the 'Firm processing likers' group (73% of the population) who had preferences for foods that needed firm processing on biting and chewing. Moreover, the group of 'Firm processing likers' appeared to be more sensitive to touch at the apex of the tongue compared with the 'Soft processing likers' in both population cohorts. Cross-population differences in lingual tactile acuity were not significant. Differences in FPD and PROP responsiveness were found between these two population cohorts, with Chinese consumers generally characterized by greater FPD and PROP responsiveness compared with the Danish subjects. This study provides evidence on cross-cultural differences in preferred oral processing behaviors and in the two phenotypic marker of taste sensitivity. However, further studies are needed to draw conclusive relationships between preferred oral processing behavior and oral tactile acuity, PROP responsiveness and tongue anatomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]