7. Types of tests for recipe optimization

7.4. Ranking Check

The ranking check tests how a number of products relate to one another in regard to a particular attribute. This test can be used to determine of the influence of:

  • different raw materials
  • different treatment methods
  • different packing and storage methods

Advantage: More than 2 products can be compared with each other

Disadvantage: If the differences are only small the results can be varied and unclear. In that case additional triangle tests can can be conducted to narrow down the results.

Preparation:

Several samples are placed next to each other and the examiners are requested to rank them according to the intensity of an attribute, e.g. saltiness, sweetness, etc.

The samples are then ordered from weakest to strongest intensity of that attribute.