Importance of Applying Condiments in a Commonly Consumed Food System for Understanding the Association Between Familiarity and Sensory Drivers of Liking: A Study Focused on Doenjang

Physicochemical and sensory characteristics of commercially available rice-based Doenjang and their correlation to consumer acceptability for Korean young adults

There is an increased demand for rice doenjang by consumers who are allergic to beans as well as for those seeking diverse flavors. The objective of this study was to characterize the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of commercially available rice-based doenjang in Korea and to identify the perception of Korean consumers about rice-based doenjang. Rice doenjang exhibited a lower pH, acid value, and an NH3-N content, as well as a higher total sugar, reducing sugar, and alcohol content than soybean doenjang. Descriptive analysis results revealed that rice doenjang made in Korea has similar aroma characteristics as in miso, such as Katsuobushi aromatic. The rice doenjang purchased from Japan was characterized by high intensities of sweet attributes, such as butter cracker, grape juice, and pineapple. Consumers preferred soybean doenjang instead of rice doenjang among three doenjang samples. These results suggest that the familiarity of soybean-based doenjang affects consumer preference and choice.

Acceptability of bread made with hemp (Cannabis sativa subsp. sativa) flour evaluated fresh and following a partial bake method

With an increasing demand for gluten-free foods, there has been an interest in the utilization of nonconventional ingredients to improve the nutritional quality, sensory attributes, and functionality of gluten-free products. Hemp (Cannabis sativa subsp. Sativa) is one of these ingredients that have yet to be thoroughly evaluated. The primary objective of this study was to determine the acceptability and consumers' sensory perceptions of gluten-free bread (GFB) made with hemp flour. The secondary objective was to assess if the acceptability of the bread changes after 45 days of frozen storage following a partial bake method. The first trial (n = 89) instructed participants to assess six fresh bread samples of varying hemp percentages (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%), using check-all-that-apply questionnaire and a 9-point hedonic scale. This procedure was repeated for the second trial (n = 81), which used partially baked bread samples of the same composition. Overall, as the percentage of hemp flour increased, the overall liking of the GFB decreased. The 5% hemp incorporation in the fresh bread and the 15% hemp incorporation or less in the partially baked bread did not significantly differ from the control bread (fresh and partially baked, respectively). Attributes found to drive the liking of bread were smooth (only for the frozen bread), porous, moist, and soft, whereas the attributes that led to disliking were yeasty and dense. In future research, partial baking methods should be varied to assess the optimal freezing and baking ratio that are specific for hemp-based breads. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The gluten-free bread (GFB) made with 5% hemp incorporation was not significantly different from the control and was acceptable to consumers. The partially baking method is a suitable method to be used with GFBs incorporated with hemp as it did not affect the consumer acceptability. Additionally, hemp flour incorporation in partially baked GFB was acceptable up to 15%. Consumers prefer GFB with hemp that possesses smooth, porous, moist, and soft attributes.

Effect of added hydrolyzed vegetable proteins on consumers' response for Doenjang (Korean traditional fermented soybean paste) soup

Hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP) has received wide attention as a flavor enhancer that can replace monosodium glutamate (MSG). The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of added acid-hydrolyzed vegetable protein (aHVP) and enzyme-hydrolyzed vegetable protein (eHVP) on consumers' responses of Korean Doenjang soup. One hundred and twenty female consumers who consume Doenjang soup on a regular basis were participated in consumer test of 8 Doenjang soup samples containing a flavor enhancer such as aHVP, eHVP, or MSG. The results indicated that the HVPs showed flavor-enhancing effects similar to those of MSG, respectively. It was also found that consumers preferred specific aHVP- or eHVP-added samples to MSG-added samples. These findings suggest that HVP could be used as a flavor enhancer in Doenjang products such as Doenjang soup.

Application of Sensory Descriptive Analysis and Consumer Studies to Investigate Traditional and Authentic Foods: A Review

As globalization progresses, consumers are readily exposed to many foods from various cultures. The need for studying specialty and unique food products, sometimes known as traditional, authentic, ethnic, exotic, or artisanal foods, is increasing to accommodate consumers' growing demands. However, the number of studies conducted on these types of products with good quality sensory testing is limited. In this review, we analyzed and reviewed sensory and consumer research on specialty and unique food products. Various factors such as manufacturing, processing, or preparation methods of the samples influence the characteristics of food products and their acceptability. Sensory descriptive analysis can be used to distinguish characteristics that highlight these differences, and consumer research is used to identify factors that affect acceptability. Familiarity with product attributes contributes to consumer acceptance. When cross-cultural consumer research is conducted to support product market placement and expansion, sensory descriptive analysis should be conducted in parallel to define product characteristics. This allows better prediction of descriptors that influence consumer acceptability, leading to appropriate product modification and successful introduction.

Appetite, Metabolism and Hormonal Regulation in Normal Ageing and Dementia

Feeding and nutrition follow the growth trajectory of the course of life. The profound physiological changes that human body experiences during ageing affect separate aspects of food intake, from tastant perception to satiety. Concurrent morbidities, such as neurodegeneration, as seen in dementia, and metabolic syndrome, may further shape nutritional behaviours, status and adequacy. In an effort to fill the gap between the exhausting basic research and the actual needs of professionals caring for the exponentially expanding ageing population, the current review addresses major factors relevant to appetite and eating disturbances. Does age alter the perception of food modalities? Is food generally still perceived as alluring and delicious with age? Is there an interplay between ageing, cognitive decline, and malnutrition? What tools can we adopt for proper and timely monitoring? Finally, what anatomical and pathophysiological evidence exists to support a hypothesis of central regulation of metabolic perturbations in normal and accelerated cognitive impairment, and how can we benefit from it in health practice?