Sensory Factors Contributing to the Identification of the Animal Species of Meat

ABSTRACT: The aim of the present study was to clarify by means of sensory tests whether taste, aroma, or texture is the dominant contributor to people's ability to identify the animal species of meat. The meat samples used were loins of beef, pork, and lamb; chicken thigh; and aigamo (crossbreed of domestic duck and wild duck) breast. Panelists (32 to 35 persons) wearing eye masks ate cooked pieces, patties, and heated soups prepared from the meats of these 5 species with and without pinching their noses to regulate the aroma sensation, attempted to identify the species, and gave reasons for their identifications. In the test involving meat pieces and pinched noses, the percentage of panelists identifying chicken correctly was the highest, at 72%, whereas the percentages of correct identification for all other animal species were less than 50%; however, values were higher for each species in tests without nose pinching. In the tests of meat patties involving pinched noses, the percentage of correct identification for each animal species was slightly lower in comparison with the tests of meat pieces; however, the values were higher in tests without pinched noses. In the tests of soups using pinched noses, the percentage of correct identification for each animal species was lower than 30%; however, the values were higher in tests without pinched noses. These results led us to the conclusion that aroma is the most important contributor to the identification of the animal species of meat, and texture is the 2nd most important contributor. The contribution of taste appears much smaller than that of aroma and texture.