Sensory evaluation We all often say when tasting

Sensory evaluation We all often say when tasting something we like, ‘that’s nice’ which is an indication that we like what we have just eaten. However a more accurate way is needed to record the detail of what we think of a food product, its texture, flavour, aroma and appearance. There are many methods to carry out food tasting, the process is known as sensory evaluation. The sensory evaluation method called star profiling is going to be used to test the fruit salad product. Let look at it in further detail.

Step 1 - Linking your task to the evaluation of the product. Your task was to: design a healthy fruit dessert. General appearance The dessert needed to be: q ‘Healthy’ – low in sugar and fat. q Contain a selection of fruits and help with the ’ 5 a day goal Aroma Texture q Have interesting flavour combinations. q Contain a range of textures and colours. From the above specifications we can find the evaluation points for the star profile opposite. 5 a day goal Flavour combinations

Step 2 – selecting a scale and awarding points. A of scales can be used for AScale number this, two example are given below. It 1 - excellent 2 - very does notgood matter which you select 3 – good you consistently use the providing 4 – average same scale. 5 – poor Scale A Scale B What does this tell 5 -you about the excellent 1 - excellent fruit 2 -salad? 4 - very good Sensory analysis of fruit salad General appearance Aroma Texture 3 – good average 4 – average Analysis - Looking 2 at–the star profile 1 – poor you 5 will notice that one evaluation point – flavour was disappointing. Using Scale– A – after with completing Conclusion problem flavour. a sensory evaluation test on the fruit salad, the awarded points can be How canon thethe flavour be improved? marked star profile and joined up using a straight line. • Using fruits with stronger flavours or better combinations. 5 a day goal Flavour

Evaluation of fruit salad design. Use the star profile to evaluate the fruit salad you have made. General appearance Aroma Scale A 1 - excellent 2 - very good 3 - good 4 - average 5 - poor Texture 5 a day goal Flavour My sensory evaluation

A quick written analysis can be helpful or an alternative method. The salad was colourful and the fruit cut into bite sized pieces. General appearance Aroma Texture Flavour 5 a day goal Analysis The aroma was fruity especially the orange and bananas The texture was varied , soft -banana and crunchy – apples and grapes, interesting to eat. The flavour was a little boring – especially the juice. Yes – a bowl of at least three tablespoon will give one portion out of five –a-day. Too many fruit of a similar flavour - need to find fruits with a better or stronger flavour. Possible improvements Add an orange or a tangerine – a juice with a stronger flavour.

Evaluation of fruit salad dish. Written analysis and possible improvements General appearance Aroma Texture Flavour 5 a day goal Analysis Possible improvements

Evaluation of fruit salad dish. Scale 1 - excellent 2 - very good 3 – good 4 – average 5 – poor Use the star profile to evaluate the fruit salad you have made. General appearance Aroma General appearance Texture 5 a day goal Flavour My sensory evaluation Aroma Texture 5 a day goal A friend’s evaluation of my fruit salad Flavour combination