This study aims to analyze the sensory characteristic of cooked rice made with 10 types of rice varieties produced in South Korea using descriptive analysis. Twelve subjects who cook rice regularly, at least once a week, were recruited for the study and participated as descriptive panelists. A total of 29 descriptive terms were developed to describe the sensory characteristics of cooked rice. The findings showed that there were significant differences in the sensory attributes, specifically the appearance and texture attributes among the rice varieties. Among the varieties, Haedeul, Ilpum, and Koshihikari were observed to have a large quantity of rice germ and a relatively yellowish appearance. In contrast, Samkwang, Chamdream, and Yeonghojinmi were relatively whiter than the other samples. Odae, Saecheongmoo, and Sindongjin were rated high in the attributes of roughness, hardness, and chewiness, and Jinsang was rated high in moisture, bitterness, stickiness, and wholeness of rice grains. The differences in the appearance and texture of these rice varieties are likely to significantly impact consumer preferences. Furthermore, the development of customized menus based on the sensory characteristics of the different varieties of rice could encourage consumers to purchase these varieties.

This study investigated the possibility of reducing sodium and sugar intake in the Bulgogi bowl and yogurt, respectively, by utilizing food and non-food factors. Sodium and sugar replacers were the target food factors, and eating environment was the target non-food factor. The sodium content of Bulgogi bowls was reduced by 40%, and a flavor enhancer was applied to compensate for the reduced saltiness. Low calorie sweeteners, such as sucralose and stevia, were used to lower the sugar content of yogurt by 30%. Consumers were asked to evaluate the samples in one of the three eating environments: private booth evaluation, BOOTH; watching video clips during evaluation, VIDEO; conversation with friends during evaluation, FRIEND. The results showed that applying sodium or sugar replacers were effective in lowering sodium or sugar intake, respectively, without compromising the acceptance level of samples. Significant influences of the eating environment were observed on liking and perception of samples, but the influence patterns were not consistent between Bulgogi bowl and yogurt.

This study assessed effective strategies to reduce the sodium intake among consumers using pork cutlet sauce as a model food system. Original pork cutlet sauce and sodium-reduced sauce (29% reduced by a salt substitute) were analyzed to characterize the sensory properties using descriptive analysis. The effects of sodium-reduction of the sauce, consumer type (nutrition teachers vs. general consumers), information related to the sodium content, serving method, and consumer’s health, taste and sodium-related attitudes on the consumer’s preference, perception, and intake of the sauce were analyzed using a consumer test. In descriptive analysis, the original and sodium-reduced sauce showed similar sensory characteristics but did not differ in saltiness. In the consumer test, there were no significant differences in the overall preference levels between the two sauces. On the other hand, there were significant differences in preference and perception between nutrition teachers and general consumer groups, which were due largely to their age as well as the health and sodium-related attitudes and nutritional knowledge differences. Sodium-reduced information decreased the perceived saltiness intensity. In addition, reducing sodium intake by serving pork cutlet sauce in a bottle can be an effective strategy because this serving method increased the acceptance and induced the smaller intake of sauce.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of sample presenting types on the sensory characteristics of chilled buckwheat noodle soup (Naeng-myeon). Generic descriptive analysis was performed for evaluating only stock (system 1), only noodle (system 2) and stock with noodle (system 3). Eight kinds of commercially available Naeng-myeon were samples of interest. Ten female descriptive panelists participated. ANOVA and regression analysis were used for data analysis. In the training sessions, ten sensory properties were developed for system 1, four were additionally established for noodle. In each system, the 8 products showed significantly different intensities in almost all sensory attributes like darkness of stock, overall flavor, sweetness, saltiness, sourness. When integrating the two systems, sample presenting types showed significant difference for the seven sensory attributes, especially saltiness, sourness, beef flavor tended to be rated more strongly in system 1 than system 3.

Soy sauce, a basic ingredient in Asian cuisine, is made of fermented soybeans, salt, water, and barley or wheat flour. The sensory characteristics of soy sauce are not only determined through its main ingredients but also by various flavor compounds produced during the fermentation process. This study was conducted to identify the sensory attributes of five different commercial soy sauce samples that differ in Meju types (traditional Meju or modified Meju) and usage types. Thirty three sensory attributes, including appearance (1), odor (16), flavor (14), and mouthfeel (2) attributes, were generated and evaluated by eight trained panelists. The collected data were analyzed by analysis of variance and principal component analysis. There were significant differences in the intensities of all sensory attributes among the soy sauce samples. Soy sauce made with traditional Meju had high intensity of fermented fish, beany, musty odors and salt, Cheonggukjang, fermented fish flavors. Whereas two soy sauces made with modified Meju were strong in alcohol, sweet, Doenjang, roasted soybean flavors. Two soy sauces for soup made with modified Meju had medium levels of briny, sulfury, fermented odors and bitter, chemical flavors and biting mouthfeel characteristic.

The core ingredient of traditional Korean style soy sauce is soy bean without any wheat or rice incorporated. National brands as well as regional micro-brewed companies constitute the soy sauce market in Korea. The present study investigated the physico-chemical and sensory properties of soy sauces produced by small-scale or mass-production. Additionally, the key physico-chemical parameters sufficiently representing the critical sensory characteristics have been identified. Ten types of soy sauce brewed by the Korean traditional method were selected for the study. Among these samples, seven types were brewed in small-scales in the Gyeonggi-do region whereas the other 3 types were mass-production products of major national brands. The total solid, reducing sugar, salinity, sugar content, amino nitrogen, CIELAB, acidity, and pH of soy sauce samples were measured for the physico-chemical analysis. A generic descriptive analysis was conducted to analyze the sensory characteristics of the samples using six trained panelists. The descriptive panel developed 21 sensory attributes. The data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA, PCA and PLSR. Overall, the micro-brewed products showed significantly higher value of salinity and acidity but lower content of reducing sugar than the mass-production products. The micro-brewed soy sauces elicited stronger fermented flavor, sourness, and bitterness whereas the national brand products elicited stronger alcoholic odor, sweetness and umami taste. Sugar content, acidity, and amino nitrogen showed strong relationships with fish sauce flavor, umami taste, and rich flavor. Salinity was closely related to the overall flavor intensity.

This descriptive analysis study investigated the sensory characteristics and the drivers of liking for seven types of makgeolli differing in grain composition and pasteurization conditions. Six trained panelists participated in the descriptive analysis. In the consumer acceptance test involving 23 males and 34 females, two of the seven varieties were excluded due to their similar sensory characteristics. Analysis of variance, principal component analysis, and partial least square regression analysis were conducted. Sensory characteristics of makgeolli varied markedly depending on the ingredients and processing methods. Makgeolli samples with relatively high content of millet flour were characterized as being smooth and strong, with a roasted carbohydrate flavor, whereas samples with enriched rice content were rated high in attributes such as bitterness, carbonation, and residual flavor. Sourness decreased in pasteurized samples. Participant’s age rather than gender influence the liking for makgeolli. Older consumers tend to prefer samples with stronger flavor than did younger consumers. Clustering consumer groups based on the preference for makgeolli samples provided profound insight concerning the beverage aspects that were appealing, which should be useful in consumer targeting of particular varieties of makgeolli.

The objective of this study was to develop a reliable and reproducible descriptive analysis procedure for Korean style sweet pumpkin gruel (Hobakjuk). The sensory attributes of the sweet pumpkin gruel were developed and defined, the sample preparation method was standardized， and the sensory evaluation procedure for a sample was established. Seven types of sweet pumpkin gruel (five ready-to-eat type vs. two ready-to-heat type) were selected to be analyzed. Panel training and descriptive analysis were carried out with these 7 samples. A total of 12 sensory attributes (2 aroma/odor, 5 taste/flavor, 4 texture/mouthfeel, and 1 aftertaste attributes) were developed to describe the sensory characteristics of the sweet pumpkin gruel. The definition and reference standards for each sensory attribute were determined to clearly understand each attribute. In the main experiment, trained panelists evaluated the sensory characteristics of the 7 gruel samples based on a fifteen-point intensity scale using the developed attributes. The results were statistically analyzed by analysis of variance, principal component analysis, and cluster analysis. The results showed that the 7 sweet pumpkin gruel samples significantly diffieredin their intensities of all attributes except for sweet pumpkin aroma and viscosity. The ready-to-eat style samples were distinctly characterized by their sweet pumpkin aroma and flavor, whereas the ready-to-heat style samples were markedly characterized by their low intensity of gelatinized starch and pumpkin flavor retention.

The objective of this study was to develop sensory lexicons that can be utilized for various types of tofu such as pressed, unpressed, and tofu made from germinated soybeans, using generic descriptive analysis. In the first phase of the experiment, trained descriptive panelists developed and defined the appearance, aroma, flavor, and texture attributes that are commonly present in tofu. Then, the sensory characteristics of seven types of tofu were analyzed using the sensory lexicons established in the initial stage of the experiment. Four appearance, 6 odor/aroma, 6 flavor/taste, 7 texture, and 4 aftertaste attributes were identified, and reference standards were established for most of the terms in order to facilitate the understanding of the attribute definitions. The intensities of the sensory attributes were measured on a 15-point scale. Statistical analyses, including analysis of variance and principal component analysis, were used for the data. The seven tofu samples showed significant differences in the intensities of 22 attributes. The unpressed tofu samples were generally rated as being high in moistness, easy to cut, silky, and easy to swallow. The pressed tofu, on the other hand, was salty, astringent, beany, hard, and rough in texture. The tofu made with germinated soybeans was characterized as having a strong cooked bean flavor, salty and astringent aftertaste, and hard texture. Overall, the attributes of moistness, easy to swallow, and silkiness showed strong positive correlations; hardness and sticks to teeth were also positively correlated to each other.