How do you create sensory tests for new food products?

1 Define your objectives

Before you design your sensory test, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve. What are the main questions you want to answer? Who are your target consumers? What are the relevant attributes or characteristics of your product? How will you measure and analyze the results? Having specific and realistic objectives will help you choose the most appropriate type of test, sample size, and testing conditions.

2 Choose your test type

There are different types of sensory tests, depending on your objectives and the level of information you need. For example, you can use descriptive tests to describe the sensory properties of your product, such as color, sweetness, or crunchiness. You can use discriminative tests to compare your product with other products or standards, such as different formulations, batches, or competitors. You can use affective tests to measure consumer liking, preference, or satisfaction, such as hedonic scales, ranking, or choice tests. Each test type has its own advantages and limitations, so you need to select the one that best suits your purpose and resources.

3 Select your panelists

The panelists are the people who will evaluate your product in the sensory test. They can be trained or untrained, depending on the test type and the level of detail you need. Trained panelists are experts who have undergone rigorous training to recognize and quantify sensory attributes. They are usually used for descriptive tests that require high accuracy and consistency. Untrained panelists are consumers who have no specific training or knowledge about the product. They are usually used for affective tests that reflect consumer opinions and preferences. You need to recruit enough panelists to represent your target market and ensure statistical significance.

4 Prepare your samples

The samples are the portions of your product that will be presented to the panelists in the sensory test. You need to prepare them in a consistent and standardized way, following the same recipe, process, and packaging. You also need to label them with codes that are random and anonymous, to avoid any bias or influence. You need to store them in appropriate conditions, such as temperature, humidity, and light, to maintain their quality and safety. You need to serve them in a suitable order, size, and frequency, to prevent fatigue, adaptation, or carry-over effects.

5 Conduct your test

The test is the actual session where the panelists evaluate your product in the sensory test. You need to conduct it in a controlled and comfortable environment, such as a sensory lab or a consumer test center. You need to provide clear and simple instructions, as well as any necessary tools or equipment, such as scales, cups, spoons, or questionnaires. You need to monitor and supervise the test, to ensure that the panelists follow the instructions and complete the evaluation. You need to collect and record the data, either manually or electronically, to facilitate the analysis.

6 Analyze your data

The data are the results of the sensory test, such as scores, ratings, rankings, or comments. You need to analyze them using appropriate statistical methods and software, such as mean, standard deviation, ANOVA, or cluster analysis. You need to interpret them in relation to your objectives and hypotheses, as well as any other relevant factors, such as product characteristics, consumer profiles, or market trends. You need to report them in a clear and concise way, using tables, graphs, or charts, as well as text, to communicate your findings and recommendations.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?