Sensory analysis and consumer acceptance of 140 high-quality extra virgin olive oils

Background: Sensory analysis is a crucial tool for evaluating the quality of extra virgin olive oils. One aim of such an investigation is to verify if the sensory attributes themselves – which are strictly related to volatile and phenolic compounds – may permit the discrimination of high-quality products obtained by olives of different cultivars and/or grown in various regions. Moreover, a crucial topic is to investigate the interdependency between relevant parameters etermining consumer acceptance and objective sensory characteristics evaluated by the panel test. Results: By statistically analysing the sensory results, a grouping – but not discriminatory – effect was shown for some cultivars and some producing areas. The preference map shows that the most appreciated samples by consumers were situated in the direction of the ‘ripe fruity’ and ‘sweet’ axis and opposite to the ‘bitter’ and ‘other attributes’ (pungent, green fruity, freshly cut grass, green tomato, harmony, persistency) axis. Conclusion: Extra virgin olive oils produced from olives of the same cultivars and grown in the same areas shared similar sensorial attributes. Some differences in terms of expectation and interpretation of sensory characteristics of extra virgin olive oils might be present for consumers and panellists: most of the consumers appear unfamiliar with positive sensorial attributes, such as bitterness and pungency

Evaluation of the “Harmony Value”: A Sensory Method to Discriminate the Quality Range within the Category of EVOO

Besides a certain amount of relevant chemical parameters, objective quality of olive oil as well as consumer acceptance are depending mainly on its sensory characteristics. Referring to the EC Regulation 1833/2015, there exist different quality categories for olive oil, namely extra virgin, virgin and lampant. To belong to the category “extra virgin”olive oil (EVOO), an oil has to have a certain fruitiness (median > 0) and no defects (median = 0). This means that all olive oils without defect have the same quality level (extra virgin) no matter what kind of sensory characteristics they show. Within EVOOs, type and width of the parameter values of sensory descriptors show a broad variety. In order to mark differences between sensory characteristics in olive oil, the German and the Swiss Olive Oil Panel (DOP and SOP) further developed the panel test (according to EC regulation 1833/2015) by extending their profile sheet with additional sensory parameters, e.g. the “harmony”-value. The evaluation and interpretation of the “harmony” value of olive oils make it possible to monitor and thereby discriminate the sensory quality within the range of EVOOs on the market. This is important for all stakeholders in the olive oil business, aiming to produce, sell, provide and buy EVOOs at different price (and quality) levels

Was macht die "Frische" von Brot aus?

Die Frische von Brot lässt sich nicht mit einheitlichen Kriterien beurteilen. Vielmehr hängt die Wahl der jeweiligen Kritereien von den Anforderungen ab, die an das Produkt gestellt werden. Sensorische Eigenschaften spielen dabei eine bedeutende Rolle. An der Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften (ZHAW) in Wädenswil wurde im Rahmen einer studentischen Arbeit eine Studie zum Thema „Definition der Frische von Brot aus Konsumentensicht“ durchgeführt

Characterization of phenolic compounds and their contribution to sensory properties of olive oil

Olive oil is not only known for its pungent, bitter, and fruity taste, but also for its health potential, which is often hypothesized to depend on its phenolic compounds. One hundred extra virgin olive oil samples (monocultivaric as well as blends of varieties) were assessed with regard to their sensory properties and phenolic compound composition. Nineteen phenolic compounds have been determined and correlated with sensory data. In all olive oil samples, oleocanthal and oleacein were the most abundant phenolic compounds, with average amounts of 77.9 mg/kg and 41.8 mg/kg, respectively. The highest correlation coefficient between a sensory descriptor and the phenolic compounds was found for the bitter taste sensation and the total phenolic content with r = 0.72 and in particular, for 3,4-DHPEA-EA, with r = 0.57. Intensity plots were assessed for the three main sensory descriptors fruitiness, bitterness, pungency, and for the quality factor harmony, which is associated with the degree of ripeness aroma of olive oil. Positive correlations for the aroma descriptors freshly cut grass, leaves, and nuts, and the phenolic compounds were especially observed for oleoside 11-methylester and vanillic acid. The present study provides a comprehensive database of phenolic compounds in olive oils from six different varieties and seven countries

Sensory Evaluation of EVOO: Do Different Test Locations Have a Relevant Impact on Data Quality?

In natural sciences, in general, the most important challenge is to ensure the reliability and validity of collected data and results. The identification of relevant influencing factors and the definition of adequate methodological approaches helps to minimize “noise.” Within the sensory evaluation of extra virgin olive oil, many potentially influencing factors are known. Tasting procedures, therefore, are standardized. However, not all criteria have the same impact on data quality. The study at hand focuses on the possible influence of different test locations, comparing the situation in sensory labs (in situ) with so-called home testing stations (remote) for two well-experienced olive oil panels. Panel performance of both panels meets all regulatory requirements. Looking at the results from the overall statistical data analysis, slight differences between results coming from the two panels can be seen (nevertheless, not exceeding the requirements), but almost no differences are found between results coming out of different test situations. Knowing that the influence of testing through different panels is small but nevertheless bigger than a potential impact of testing in different test locations (sensory lab versus home testing stations), shows us the great potential for future use of remote test designs likewise to lab designs to obtain valid data