Comparison of monadic and simultaneous sample presentation modes in a descriptive analysis of milk chocolate

Monadic (one sample sewed at a time, and all attributes rated for that sample) and simultaneous multiple (4 samples sewed together and attributes rated one at a time across samples) presentation and evaluation procedures were compared in terms of descriptive profile generated, panel performance (ability to discriminate, reproctucibility, concept alignment) and session duration, in a descriptive analysis of 9 milk chocolate samples by a panel of 18 trained judges. The sensory profiles obtained with the two presentation modes were very similar (as assessed by spider web and principal component plots). Time-wise, the simultaneous presentation procedure took significantly longer to complete (p<0.001). Judges discriminated slightly better and were more reproducible with the simultaneous presentation mode, but quality of concept alignment did not differ between the two procedures. We conclude each method has its advantages and limitations, and choice of presentation procedure should be based on the type of descriptive analysis carried out and the time frame available.