When most people think of sensory research in the food and beverage industry, taste tests often come to mind. However, sensory evaluation is far more complex and nuanced than simply determining whether a product tastes good. In fact, sensory research plays a crucial role in developing all kinds of products, including household and personal care products.
A multifaceted approach to product evaluation helps companies understand how consumers perceive and interact with their offerings on multiple sensory levels. So, let’s examine just how broad the world of sensory research is, starting with the food and beverage industry.
The Core Senses in Food and Beverage Evaluation
As mentioned, taste testing is as intrinsically linked to sensory evaluation, but it goes much deeper than that, as we shall now explain.
Taste: Beyond Sweet and Salty
While the five basic tastes – sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami – form the foundation of flavour perception, modern sensory research explores how these tastes interact and evolve over time.
For example, in beverage development, researchers might examine how a drink’s initial sweetness transitions into other flavour notes, creating a more complex and engaging sensory experience.
The Power of Aroma
Our sense of smell plays a significant role in how we perceive food and drink. In fact, what we often refer to as ‘taste’ is largely influenced by aroma, reaffirming its importance in product development.
Today, sensory researchers use advanced techniques such as headspace analysis (the direct collection and analysis of the mixture of vapours in the space immediately above a food or beverage) to gauge a product’s overall flavour profile. This attention to detail concerning aroma can distinguish a great product from a good one.
Texture and Mouthfeel
The physical sensations we experience when consuming food and beverages are crucial to our enjoyment. From the crunch of a crisp to the creaminess of a yoghurt, texture and mouthfeel can significantly impact consumer acceptance.
Sensory panels use descriptive analysis techniques to articulate and quantify these textural attributes, providing valuable data for product optimisation.
Visual Appeal: Eating with Our Eyes
We often decide whether we like a food or drink product before we even taste it, based solely on its appearance. The colour of a beverage, the glossiness of a sauce, or the visible inclusions in a snack product all contribute to our expectations and overall perception.
Thus, visual evaluation techniques help ensure that products not only taste great but look appealing, too.
Sensory Evaluation in Household and Personal Care Products
While taste may not be a factor in household and personal care items, other sensory aspects play a crucial role in consumer acceptance and brand loyalty.
Fragrance Evaluation
The scent of a product can be a powerful driver of consumer preference, particularly in categories like air fresheners, laundry detergents, and personal care items. Fragrance evaluation techniques assess factors such as intensity, character, longevity, and compatibility with the product’s other attributes.
Texture and Feel
The tactile experience of a personal care product can significantly impact consumer perception. Whether it’s the smooth glide of a deodorant or the lather of a shampoo, texture plays a crucial role. Researchers use standardised descriptors and evaluation techniques to objectively assess these tactile properties.
From Lab to Market: A Real-World Example of Successful Sensory Evaluation
The value of sensory research lies in its application to real-world product development. A prime example is Coca-Cola’s launch of Zero Sugar in 2017.
Coca-Cola faced a significant challenge: creating a zero-sugar product that tasted as close to the original Coca-Cola as possible without using sugar. Through extensive sensory research and consumer testing, they developed a new sweetener blend and flavour base that more closely mimicked the taste of the original Coca-Cola.
The company conducted numerous sensory evaluations, including blind taste tests and sensory profiling, to refine the formulation. They assessed not only the overall taste but also specific attributes like sweetness onset, mouthfeel, and aftertaste. The research even delved into how the drink’s taste was perceived when consumed with different foods.
This comprehensive approach to sensory evaluation paid off. Coca-Cola Zero Sugar was well-received by consumers and has contributed to the further growth of the Coca-Cola brand in many international markets. This success story demonstrates how in-depth sensory research can drive product innovation and market success, even for well-established brands.
Embracing the Full Spectrum of Sensory Evaluation
As we’ve explored, sensory research encompasses far more than simple taste tests. It’s a multifaceted field that provides crucial insights into how consumers perceive and interact with products across multiple sensory dimensions. From the complex flavour profiles of food and beverages to the tactile experiences of personal care products, comprehensive sensory evaluation is key to creating products that gain consumer acceptance from launch.
For companies looking to enhance their product development process, validate their formulations, or gain a competitive edge in the market, partnering with experienced sensory research professionals can be invaluable.
At Wirral Sensory Services, we offer state-of-the-art facilities, experienced sensory panels, and advanced analytical techniques to provide actionable product optimisation insights across various product categories.
To explore how our comprehensive sensory research services could benefit your product development efforts, call us today at +44 (0)151 346 2999 or contact us via email at info@wssintl.com for more information.
