Sensory Lab
The sensory evaluation lab is used to taste test food products. It consists of a preparation area and a panelist booth. The two rooms are connected with pass-through compartment doors for food samples. Both rooms have touchscreen tablets to present questions and get input from taste testers. Data acquisition and processing is managed by Compusense® system software.
The facility is utilized for classes (Sensory Evaluation and Product Development courses) and commercial testing of food products.
The facility is utilized for classes (Sensory Evaluation and Product Development courses) and commercial testing of food products.
Featured Facilities
Panel Preparation/Serving Area
The food preparation area has a commercial range, an industrial fridge freezer, heat lamps and portable temperature/humidity-controlled warming units. For more extensive sample preparation, an adjacent food production kitchen is also available (see Product Development lab).
Lighting Effects
The lighting color and intensity in panelist booths are adjustable to hide minor color differences between test samples.
Panelist Booths
The panelist area can simultaneously accommodate six panelists within individual booths.
Pass-through Compartment Doors
A big screen monitor is mounted in the food preparation/service area to communicate the panelist sampling plan to panel workers and allow monitoring of individual panelist progress.
