Sensory Evaluation

Starting at the Source

Flavor potential is determined, in large part, by plant genetics. SCS works with seed companies and breeders to identify varieties that offer optimum flavor attributes, using a combination of chemical analysis and expert sensory evaluation.

How It Works

1. Screen Varieties.  Screen candidate seed varieties that offer the best flavor characteristics based on Consumer Acceptability criteria.
2. Establish Flavor Profiles and Scores. Assemble the SCS Expert Sensory Panel to provide comprehensive sensory services to:
   • Establish a Flavor Profile and scorecard reflecting the specific flavor attributes of the variety;
   • Score the variety’s attributes against the profile;
   • Score the variety against Consumer Acceptability criteria.
3. Analytical Testing. Conduct analytical testing (e.g., sugar profile, organic acids, phenolics) and correlate results with findings of the Expert Sensory Panel.
4. Compare. Conduct comparison studies with competitive varieties (“market basket survey”).

This process generates objective data that can in turn be provided to growers, manufacturers and retail customers who are interested in optimizing the flavor of their products.

Combining Flavor and Nutrition Research

Some seed companies are interested in combining flavor and nutrition research to optimize both of these quality considerations. SCS conducts key nutrient and antioxidant analysis to identify varieties that offer the best nutritional characteristics.

Experienced.

We will help you evaluate food, from raw ingredients to finished product, to enable you to meet and surpass your customers' expectations.

Testing by SCS' Expert Sensory Panel

1. Descriptive Analysis — Our panelists generate a list of flavor, texture, aroma, and appearance attributes to give you quantitative data about your product.
2. Flavor Mapping — SCS creates graphic maps of your new flavors or products.
3. Competitive Benchmarking — Compare the attributes and preferability scores of your products to competitors’ products.
4. Discrimination Testing — SCS can determine whether there is a detectable flavor difference among two or more products.
5. Shelf Life Testing — We conduct sensory testing over the course of a product’s shelf life to ensure there is no decrease in quality over time.  Testing includes:

• Sensory Analysis
• Bacterial Control
• Color Stability
• Yeast and Mold Inhibition
• Textural Stability
• Aroma Stability
• Chemical or Formulation Stability

Consumer Testing

We conduct research with groups of 50-100 consumers to gather feedback on various attributes of your products and evaluate consumer acceptance.

Analytical Testing

We offer a full range of analytical testing services that covers flavor, nutrient content, and more:

• Shelf-life and accelerated shelf-life testing, including microbial and sensory tests
• Nutritional panels
• Antioxidants
• Quality
• Adulterants
• Pesticide residues
• Food microbiology

Managing Your Operations for Optimum Flavor

SCS has been working with food retailers for over 30 years to improve produce quality and enhance store sales. Flavor attributes can be enhanced with in-store programs and employee education. Work with growers supplying superior product from farm to fork.

Service Options

1. Flavor Audit.  SCS will conduct an on-site audit to evaluate practices that can affect flavor during each stage of your operations — distribution, conditioning, storage, and shelf display — then help you establish procedures to maximize flavor potential at each stage.
2. Buyer Training.  SCS’ food safety experts will train your buying staff to discriminate flavor, texture, aroma, and appearance attributes to more effectively evaluate vendor products.
3. Competitive Analysis.  SCS will conduct market basket flavor surveys to evaluate the flavor of your key produce offerings against those of your competitors.
4. Consumer Testing. We conduct research with groups of 50-100 consumers to gather feedback on various attributes of your products and evaluate consumer acceptance.

Analytical Testing

SCS offers a full range of analytical testing services that covers flavor, nutrient content, and more:

• Shelf-life and accelerated shelf-life testing, including microbial and sensory tests
• Nutritional panels
• Antioxidants
• Quality
• Adulterants
• Pesticide residues
• Food microbiology

SCS Expert Sensory Panels

Our Flavor services require direct testing by a panel of sensory experts. Panelists include food scientists and chefs who are rigorously trained in descriptive analysis, flavor mapping, comparative benchmarking, and discrimination testing.

Consumer Preference Studies

In addition, we also orchestrate consumer preference studies to determine consumer acceptability parameters for specific products. These studies are conducted with consumer panels assembled in cities around the world. Consumer acceptability is recorded as a numerical ranking of acceptance by the consumer panel for specific flavor characteristics of the food items being tested.