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Cluster analysis is often used to group consumers based on their hedonic responses to products. We give a motivating example in which conventional cluster analyses converge on a solution where consumers do not agree on which products they like. We show why this occurs. We state a goal: to group together consumers who have a shared opinion of which products are delightful and which products are not delightful, apart from consumers who have a different opinion. To meet this goal, we code consumers' hedonic responses in ways inspired by top‐k box analysis, then cluster consumers using b‐cluster analysis. For comparison, we cluster consumers using two conventional methods. We interpret each cluster by focusing on which product(s) the cluster accepts and whether a large proportion of cluster members are aligned in accepting these products. Solutions from b‐cluster analysis based on top‐k box‐inspired codings met our goal better than conventional approaches, indicating that these methods deserve further study. Practical Applications: Cluster analysis outcomes are profoundly shaped by a researcher's decisions related to response coding and clustering algorithm. This paper highlights the importance of determining the goal of the cluster analysis first, then selecting a response coding and clustering algorithm to best meet this goal. Our stated goal is one that is frequently of interest in sensory evaluation but is not well met by conventional clustering approaches. The novel approaches that we give in this paper meet the goal and are available using software that is freely available in the public domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Clustering projective mapping data is discussed for real and simulated data. • Clustering algorithms based on the Procrustes distance are emphasised. • Proclustrees and Sequential Clusterwise Rotations (SCR) are tested on projective mapping data. • For simulated data SCR and Proclustrees outperform MFA. • Methods differ, but all provide one cluster similar to the global consensus. Abstract Projective mapping (PM) or napping® has attained much attention in recent literature as a method for fast sensory profiling and measurement of consumer perception. However, little work has been done to understand the consumer’s individual differences in these experiments. In this work, segmentation criteria based on the Procrustes distance are explored. The Procrustes distance can be applied with hierarchical clustering using the Proclustrees method, which consists of doing hierarchical clustering on the pairwise Procrustes distance between consumers. An alternative strategy called sequential clusterwise rotations (SCR) is proposed. SCR extracts clusters by a sequentially partitioning obtained by combining fuzzy clustering techniques and general Procrustes analysis. The methods were tested on simulated and real data and compared with clustering based on MFA results. The simulations show that the MFA approach was outperformed by the other methods when the underlying classes were of same size and there are noise configurations present in the data. For the real data, all methods provided at last one cluster similar to the consensus but differed with respect to the number of clusters identified as well as the interpretation of the clusters. Differences between the methodologies point out the need for external cluster validation in such experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TDS describes the evolution of the dominant sensory attributes during consumption. Dominance can be assessed as the sensation that captures the attention, the most striking, or the new sensation that pops up, but not necessarily the most intense. This wide definition implies that individual assessors within a panel might assess dominance differently, and even the same assessor could be using different strategies for determining the dominant attribute the same product evaluation. In this context, the aim of the present work was to explore how trained assessors and consumers conceptualize dominance and how the different interpretations and definitions of dominance might influence results of a TDS test. Two studies were performed, one study with a highly trained panel of 10 assessors and another study with 108 consumers. Trained assessors evaluated three bread samples via TDS and their conceptualization of dominance was explored through an immediate retrospective verbalization task. Consumers evaluated their temporal perception of a commercial milk chocolate sample and answered a series of open-ended questions. Results showed that dominance is a complex construct that is not related to a single aspect of sensory perception, and that different conceptualizations of dominance within a panel can hinder an accurate interpretation of results from TDS studies. Various aspects of dominance are highlighted and discussed: how attributes are selected, which are the drivers of transitions between dominant attributes, how the competitive effects of attributes and modalities are manifested, how some phenomena like dumping or dithering could happen at some stages and why. Practitioners are advised to ensure that their interpretation of TDS data is made within the context of the dominance definition they instructed assessors to use. Implications of the results for the application of TDS with trained assessors and consumers are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sensory evaluation has traditionally been divided into two clearly defined areas: analytical tests, aimed at objectively evaluating the sensory characteristics of products, and hedonic tests, in which consumers evaluate their acceptance/preference. One of the central dogmas of the field has been matching these two types of tests to different types of assessors respectively: selected and trained assessors and regular consumers of the target products. For years, consumers have been regarded as not capable of performing analytical tasks. However, the development of various alternative methods for sensory characterization in the last couple of decades has agitated the debate about the use of untrained assessors for analytical tasks in sensory science. Lately, the line between trained and consumer panels for analytical tests has blurred and is expected to continue to do so. The present opinion paper discusses some of the most relevant issues around the debate of whether consumer or trained assessor panels are appropriate for analytical testing in specific application and provides recommendations for practitioners on this respect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Projective mapping (PM), one of the most holistic product profiling methods in approach, is increasingly being used to uncover consumers' perception of products and packages. Assessors rely on a process of synthesis for evaluating product information, which would determine the relative importance of the perceived characteristics they use for mapping them. Individual differences are expected, as participants are not instructed on the characteristics to consider for evaluating the degree of difference among samples, generating different perceptual spaces. Individual differences in cognitive style can affect synthesis processes and thus their perception of similarities and differences among samples. In this study, the influence of the cognitive style in the results of PM was explored. Two consumer studies were performed, one aimed at describing intrinsic sensory characteristics of chocolate flavoured milk and the other one looking into extrinsic (package only) of blueberry yogurts. Consumers completed the wholistic-analytic module of the extended Verbal Imagery Cognitive Styles Test & Extended Cognitive Style Analysis-Wholistic Analytic Test, to characterize their cognitive style. Differences between wholistic and analytic consumers in how they evaluated samples using projective mapping were found in both studies. Analytics separated the samples more in the PM perceptual space than wholistic consumers, showing more discriminating abilities. This may come from a deeper analysis of the samples, both from intrinsic and extrinsic point of views. From a sensory perspective (intrinsic), analytic consumers relied on more sensory characteristics, while wholistic mainly discriminated samples according to sweetness and bitterness/chocolate flavour. In the extrinsic study however, even if analytic consumers discriminated more between packs, they described the products using similar words in the descriptive step. One important recommendation coming from this study is the need to consider higher dimensions in the interpretation of projective mapping tasks, as the first dimensions could underestimate the complexity of the perceptual space; currently, most applications of PM consider two dimensions only, which may not uncover the perception of specific groups of consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the interaction of sensory and extrinsic product attributes in consumer preferences has been identified as one of the key pillars for raising the likelihood of food products’ success in the market. Over the course of the last decade there has been increased attention on research emphasizing a combination of these food-choice driving parameters. This paper discusses progress made in the field focusing on three groups of methods: (i) conjoint hedonic methods (ii) “classic” hedonic testing and (iii) alternative descriptive approaches. For each method a description of the methodology in question, its objectives, advantages, drawbacks and applications are examined. Industrial challenges and future research needs are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the main steps related to the implementation of reference-based sensory characterization methodologies is the selection of the references, sometimes referred to as poles. However, research on the influence of the reference selection on the results from these methodologies is scarce. In this context, the aim of the present work was to evaluate the influence of the poles on results from Polarized projective mapping (PPM). Three groups of consumers evaluated two sets of six samples of powdered drinks using three different sets of poles. Results showed that the set of poles did not largely affect sample configurations and consumers' descriptions. However, some differences in sample configurations were identified when the poles did not represent the whole sensory space represented by the sample sets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present work was to evaluate data aggregation when using two polarized sensory positioning (PSP) approaches for sensory characterization with consumers. Two consumer studies with different product categories (orangeflavored powdered drinks and chocolate milk beverages) were carried out. In each study two PSP approaches were considered: PSP with scales and triadic PSP (t-PSP). For each approach, one-third of the consumers evaluated the whole sample set, whereas the other two-thirds evaluated the sample set split in two subsets. Results showed that sample configurations for the evaluation of the whole and the split set by different consumer groups were relatively well correlated (RV coefficients higher than 0.79). However, agreement between the configurations differed between the studies, which can be explained by the degree of difference among samples. Besides, differences in consumers' dissimilarity scores and conclusions regarding similarities and differences among samples were identified when comparing both data sets (with and without data aggregation). Regarding the comparison of the two PSP approaches, in the two studies better agreement between sample configurations was obtained for t-PSP. However, in one of the studies PSP with scales provided better results for the evaluation of a repeated sample by different consumer groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of the present work was to identify consumers’ ideal product by three consumer profiling techniques and to compare the agreement among the three techniques. Two studies were carried out in which consumers evaluated seven samples of orange-flavoured powdered drinks. In the first study 108 consumers scored their overall liking, whereas in the second one three groups of 50 consumers evaluated the sensory characteristics of the samples using projective mapping, a check-all-that-apply question or intensity scales. After completing the task consumers were asked to identify their ideal product. The different approaches yielded similar information regarding the sensory characteristics of the products and consumers’ ideal product, providing similar recommendations for product improvement. However, they differed in the position of consumers’ optimum product within the sensory space defined by the sensory characteristics of the evaluated samples. Projective mapping identified the consensus position of the ideal product within the range of sensory characteristics of the evaluated samples, providing similar results than external preference mapping. Differences and similarities between the methodologies are discussed, as well as potential applications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The aim of the present work was to study the influence of brand on consumers’ expectations and liking of orange-flavoured powdered drinks. Ten samples of orange-flavoured powdered drinks were evaluated by 108 consumers who scored their expected liking (looking at the pack only) and the overall liking under blind and informed-testing conditions (tasting the products). Consumers were also asked to answer a check-all-that-apply question with eight statements related to some products’ characteristics and usage occasions. Results showed that brand and package information had a large impact on consumers’ liking scores only for well-recognized brands. Hierarchical multiple factor analysis performed on liking scores for the three evaluation conditions showed that informed liking scores were closer to expected liking scores than to blind liking scores, suggesting that brand information was more important than hedonic reaction to the sensory characteristics in determining consumers’ liking scores for the samples on the informed condition. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Tannat (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Tannat) was the main grape variety to be established in Uruguay, being the only country in the Americas where this grape is commonly found. Because of its small cultivation in the world, this variety has not been thoroughly studied, hence, considerable research and development on this variety is still needed. The aims of this study were to obtain the aroma and taste profiles of Tannat red wine by means of descriptive analysis and to correlate the quantitative sensory data to the quality assessment obtained through a small panel of fine wine consumers. The correlations obtained resulted in a useful tool in Uruguayan Tannat wine development. Results showed that an increment in yeasty , burned and earthy aromas resulted in lower quality scores, while high intensities of dried fruit , phenolic and berry aromas are desirable in this fine wine variety. As far as taste is concerned, astringency positively influences quality evaluation of flavor (attack , evolution and persistence ), body and overall quality . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Because a high fat content in foods is associated with health disorders, consumers demand low fat products, but without any loss of their texture quality. The instrumental texture and sensory properties of biscuits in which 15 and 30 g/100 g of the fat has been replaced by two different carbohydrate-based fat replacers (inulin and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) were studied. The instrumental texture measurements showed that inulin and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) biscuits were harder and the sound emissions were higher than for the control biscuits. The trained sensory panel rated the biscuit with 15 percent fat replacement by inulin as crisper than the control. The consumer study revealed that fat replacement up to 15 g/100 g with inulin or HPMC provided acceptable biscuits, but higher replacement decreased the overall acceptability. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]