What is the purpose of a triangle test in sensory evaluation?

The purpose of a triangle test in sensory evaluation is to determine whether a perceptible difference exists between two samples of a product. It is a discrimination test, meaning it aims to determine if panelists can distinguish between the samples, not to assess preference or intensity of attributes. In a triangle test, each panelist receives three coded samples: two samples are identical, and one is different. The panelist is asked to identify which of the three samples is the odd one out. The samples are coded to prevent bias. The triangle test is used in various situations, such as determining if a change in ingredients or processing affects the sensory characteristics of a product, assessing the effectiveness of a new formulation, or evaluating the impact of storage conditions on product quality. For example, a triangle test could be used to determine if consumers can detect a difference between a juice made with a new type of fruit and the standard juice formulation. The results of the triangle test are analyzed statistically to determine if the number of correct responses is significantly greater than what would be expected by chance. If a significant difference is detected, it indicates that the panelists can reliably distinguish between the two samples. The triangle test is a sensitive and efficient method for detecting small differences between samples and is widely used in the food industry for quality control and product development.