CHAPTER

Descriptive Analysis
6
CHAPTER OUTLINE
6.1 Introduction........................................................................................................233
6.2 Test methods......................................................................................................245
6.2.1 Flavor profile.................................................................................. 245
6.2.2 Texture profile................................................................................ 247
6.2.3 Quantitative descriptive analysis (the QDA method)............................ 250
6.2.3.1 Identify and measure all the sensory properties of a product....... 251
6.2.3.2 Able to evaluate multiple products.............................................. 252
6.2.3.3 Subjects qualified before participation........................................ 253
6.2.3.4 Use a limited number of subjects............................................... 254
6.2.3.5 Use a consensus language development process free from
leader influence......................................................................... 254
6.2.3.6 Be quantitative and use a repeated trials design......................... 256
6.2.3.7 Have a useful data analysis system............................................ 260
6.2.4 Spectrum descriptive analysis.......................................................... 275
6.2.5 Free-choice profiling....................................................................... 278
6.2.6 Other methods................................................................................ 280
6.2.7 Experts and expert panels................................................................ 283
6.3 Applications for descriptive analysis....................................................................286
6.4 Conclusions........................................................................................................289

6.1 Introduction
Descriptive analysis is the most sophisticated of the methods available to the sen­
sory professional. A descriptive test provides word descriptions of products,
a basis for comparing product similarities and differences, and a basis for deter­
mining those sensory attributes that impact preferences. The results enable one to
relate specific ingredient or process variables to specific changes in some (or all)
of the sensory attributes of a product (i.e. establish causality). These applications
are discussed later in this chapter and in Chapter 8. From a product development

H. Stone, R. Bleibaum, H. A. Thomas: Sensory Evaluation Practices, fourth edition.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-382086-0.00006-6 233
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