External preference map to evaluate the acceptance of light and diet yogurt prepared using natural sweeteners

Owing to the high demand for healthier foods, the food industry has been marketing diet and light yogurts. The present study aimed to sensorially evaluate yogurts prepared using natural sweeteners through a simple centroid mixture design with three repetitions at the central point using the preference map methodology Different formulations were processed using stevia, xylitol, and sucrose in delimited proportions based on the sweetness of the sweetener. A team of tasters was recruited to survey the sensory attributes of the formulations using the check-all-that-apply (CATA) methodology. A product acceptance analysis was also conducted in which 50 consumers evaluated the formulations using a 9-point hedonic scale. After assessing the acceptance, consumers completed the CATA questionnaire. Internal and external preference maps were built using the obtained results. We found high acceptance means (xylitokstevia:sugar)for F7 (1.0:0:0), Fl (0.5:0:0), and F2 (0:0.5:0.5), which were characterized by a sweet taste, creamy texture, strawberry flavor, fermented milk flavor, and light pink appearance. Formulations with the lowest scores were F6 (0:1.0:0), F3 (0.33:0.33:0.33), and F4(0.5:0.5:0), which were characterized by a residual and bitter taste, astringent sensation, and inconsistent texture.