Texture-flavor interactions in low fat stirred yogurt: How mechanical treatment, thickener concentration and aroma concentration affect perceived texture and flavor

The influence of thickening agent (0 and 7 g/L), mechanical treatment (low and high) and flavoring agent concentration (2.2 to 63.2 muL/kg) on texture, taste and aroma of low fat stirred yogurts was investigated through sensory profiling by a panel of ten subjects trained on 13 attributes. Two assessment conditions were used: either in the presence or in the absence of olfactory perception (nostrils closed with nose clips). Sensory differences were greater for texture than for the other perception modalities. Olfactory perception enhanced yogurt astringency. If both thickener addition and mechanical treatment influenced texture attributes and rheology, the second factor had the strongest effect. Texture attributes were highly correlated with rheological parameters. Increasing flavoring agent concentration tended to decrease thickness and the addition of thickening agent depressed green apple notes and sweet taste, suggesting texture/flavor interactions.