The sensory characteristics and volatile compounds that affect consumers’ acceptance of rice liquors were investigated. A total of 80 consumers evaluated 12 yakju samples and descriptive analysis by 11 trained panelists was conducted. Solvent-assisted flavor evaporation-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis also was conducted revealing 120 volatile compounds in the yakju samples. Sensory attributes (n = 31) except appearance attributes were used for principal component analysis (PCA). As results, fruit odor (apple, hawthorn, omija, and pineapple odor) and flower odor (chrysanthemum, pine, and peppermint odor) were placed on the positive side of PC1 whereas persimmon vinegar odor, bitter taste, alcohol flavor, stinging and coating mouthfeel were located on the negative side of PC1. The yakju samples were mainly characterized by their alcohol content and supplementary ingredients. Sensory descriptors (n = 31; except appearance attributes and p > 0.05) and volatile compounds (n = 30; p > 0.5 correlation coefficient with overall acceptance) were chosen for multiple factor analysis (MFA). The MFA correlation map showed that ethyl propanoate, ethyl-2-hydroxy-2-methylbutanoate, methyl 2-furoate, γ-butyrolactone, 4-ethoxycarbonyl-γ-butyrolactone, hawthorn odor, apple flavor, grape flavor, and sweet taste were positively correlated with young consumers’ overall acceptance. Additionally, negative correlation with overall acceptance was found in 1,3-butanediol, 2,3-butanediol, and 1,1-diethoxy-3-methylbutane.

The present study investigated the drivers of liking ethnic sauces in a cross-cultural context. Experiments were conducted to understand the acceptance of salad dressings and dipping sauces developed from Korean fermented seasonings among consumers with different ethnic backgrounds, including: South Korean, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and American. The samples of interest included four types of salad dressings made from fermented soybean paste (doenjang) and four types of spicy dipping sauces made from fermented chili pepper paste (gochujang). The salad dressings were preferred by Korean and US consumers. Koreans liked the nutty-flavored salad dressings, whereas UAE and American consumers commonly liked the spicy type. There was a stronger cross-cultural agreement in liking dipping sauces rather than salad dressings. Both Korean and American consumers liked spicy dipping sauces that elicited a sweet taste. UAE consumers tended to prefer the less spicy dipping sauce samples. Consumers in all three countries generally liked spicy dipping sauces more than salad dressings. Cultural differences were observed between the responses depending on the presence and level of spiciness in the two different food types. For product development with ethnic fermented flavors or chili spices, the contextual appropriateness and consumer familiarity with the corresponding flavor should be taken into account.

This study investigated purified water from four different filter types for removing minerals, anions, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and affecting sensory perception and consumer acceptability. Ultrafiltration (UF), CSM-ultrafiltration (CU), alumina nanofiber (AN), and reverse osmosis (RO) filters were used for a point-of-use water treatment system with a pre-carbon filter (PR) and post-carbon filter (PO). Filters efficiently removed VOCs, which could negatively affect the sensory perception of water. The total VOC concentration of tap water (TW) (14.97 µg/Kg) was reduced by 70% by the PR, 75.3–88.7% by the PR-main filter, and >97% by the PR-RO-PR. Using the polarized sensory position test, the subjects clearly discriminated TW from the samples; however, most of the purified water was not. The difference in the mean ratings of consumer acceptability among the purified samples was <1 except for PR-RO-PO in consumer testing. These results suggested that although there are differences in the capability of different filter types to eliminate minerals, anions, and VOCs, overall consumers did not identify sensory differences among them, and demonstrated similar consumer acceptability of the purified water produced. Simply applying a pre-carbon filter for TW treatment is enough to minimize VOCs, which negatively influence consumer acceptability.

For utilization of whole wheat (WW) in cooked rice products, WW was processed by four different methods (steeping (S_WW), milling (M_WW), enzymatic treatment (E_WW), and passing through a roll mill (1 mm) (R_WW)). Additionally, the physicochemical properties of cooked rice containing various processed wheat were investigated. The hardness of the cooked rice decreased significantly with R_WW and E_WW compared to WW. As a result of a consumer acceptance test, the cooked rice samples containing M_WW and E_WW with high liking scores frequently included ‘chewiness’ as a reason for liking, and the cooked rice with WW and S_WW was mentioned as being ‘too hard’ as a reason for disliking. The cooked rice with R_WW, which had the lowest liking score, was mentioned as having appearance characteristics such as ‘husk’, ‘clumpy appearance’, and ‘messy appearance’ as reasons for disliking. The overall results of this study suggest the inclusion of M_WW or E_WW with cooked rice considering health-related benefits and consumer acceptability.