@article{rizzo_del toro-gipson_cadwallader_drake_2022, title={Identification of aroma-active compounds in Cheddar cheese imparted by wood smoke}, volume={105}, ISSN={["1525-3198"]}, DOI={10.3168/jds.2021-21697}, abstractNote={Cheddar cheese is the most popular cheese in the United States, and the demand for specialty categories of cheese, such as smoked cheese, are rising. The objective of this study was to characterize the flavor differences among Cheddar cheeses smoked with hickory, cherry, or apple woods, and to identify important aroma-active compounds contributing to these differences. First, the aroma-active compound profiles of hickory, cherry, and apple wood smokes were analyzed by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) gas chromatography-olfactometry (GCO) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Subsequently, commercial Cheddar cheeses smoked with hickory, cherry, or apple woods, as well as an unsmoked control, were evaluated by a trained sensory panel and by SPME GCO and GC-MS to identify aroma-active compounds. Selected compounds were quantified with external standard curves. Seventy-eight aroma-active compounds were identified in wood smokes. Compounds included phenolics, carbonyls, and furans. The trained panel identified distinct sensory attributes and intensities among the 3 cheeses exposed to different wood smokes (P < 0.05). Hickory smoked cheeses had the highest intensities of flavors associated with characteristic "smokiness" including smoke aroma, overall smoke flavor intensity, and meaty, smoky flavor. Cherry wood smoked cheeses were distinguished by the presence of a fruity flavor. Apple wood smoked cheeses were characterized by the presence of a waxy, green flavor. Ninety-nine aroma-active compounds were identified in smoked cheeses. Phenol, guaiacol, 4-methylguaiacol, and syringol were identified as the most important compounds contributing to characteristic "smokiness." Benzyl alcohol contributed to the fruity flavor in cherry wood smoked cheeses, and 2-methyl-2-butenal and 2-ethylfuran were responsible for the waxy, green flavor identified in apple wood smoked cheeses. These smoke flavor compounds, in addition to diacetyl and acetoin, were deemed important to the flavor of cheeses in this study. Results from this study identified volatile aroma-active compounds contributing to differences in sensory perception among Cheddar cheeses smoked with different wood sources.}, number={7}, journal={JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE}, author={Rizzo, P. V. and Del Toro-Gipson, R. S. and Cadwallader, D. C. and Drake, M. A.}, year={2022}, month={Jul}, pages={5622–5640} } @article{del toro-gipson_rizzo_hanson_drake_2021, title={Consumer perception of smoked Cheddar cheese}, volume={104}, ISSN={["1525-3198"]}, DOI={10.3168/jds.2020-18711}, abstractNote={Consumer perception of smoked cheese was evaluated through focus groups, surveys, and central location testing. Three focus groups (n = 29) were conducted with consumers of smoked cheese. Subsequently, 2 online surveys were conducted. The purpose of the first survey (n = 1,195) was to understand types of smoked cheeses consumed and if consumers associated specific wood smokes with smoked cheese. Next, an adaptive choice-based conjoint (n = 367) was designed to evaluate consumer perception of different attributes of smoked cheese. Maximum difference scaling and familiarity questions were also included in the adaptive choice-based conjoint survey. Following the surveys, a central location test (n = 135) was conducted with cheeses smoked with 3 different woods at a low and high intensity (6 cheeses total). Hierarchical Bayesian estimation, one-way ANOVA, agglomerative hierarchical clustering, and 2-way ANOVA (smoke type × intensity level) were used to interpret the collected data. Results from the focus groups indicated that smoked cheese was perceived as an artisan, high-end product and that appearance and price were strong purchase factors. In general, consumers were not aware of how smoked flavor was imparted to cheese, but when informed of the processes, they preferred cold-smoked cheese to the addition of liquid smoke flavor. Results from both surveys confirmed focus group observations. Consumers perceived flavor differences among different wood smokes and smoked products. Method of smoking, smoke intensity, type of wood, and type of cheese were the most important attributes for purchase of smoked cheese. When tasting, consumers differentiated smoke aroma and flavor among cheeses and preferred cherry wood smoked cheeses over apple wood or hickory smoked cheeses. Understanding consumer perceptions of smoked cheese will give insight into the desired experience that consumers expect when purchasing smoked cheese.}, number={2}, journal={JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE}, author={Del Toro-Gipson, R. S. and Rizzo, P. and Hanson, D. J. and Drake, M. A.}, year={2021}, month={Feb}, pages={1560–1575} } @article{rizzo_harwood_drake_2020, title={Consumer desires and perceptions of lactose-free milk}, volume={103}, ISSN={["1525-3198"]}, DOI={10.3168/jds.2019-17940}, abstractNote={Fluid milk consumption has declined in the United States, but lactose-free dairy milk (LFM) sales have steadily increased. It is important to understand how consumers perceive LFM and what consumers value when purchasing LFM. This study characterized consumer perceptions and preferences for LFM. Three 1.5-h focus groups (n = 25), an online survey (n = 331), trained panel descriptive analysis, and a consumer acceptance taste test (n = 160) were conducted with LFM consumers. Focus groups were evaluated by frequency of responses. From the focus group findings, we found that price was a primary choice driver of LFM. Habit and flavor familiarity with cow milk were a major driver of selection of LFM over plant-based alternatives for consumers. Higher sweetness and lower viscosity were the primary sensory differences between LFM and traditional milk, and were viewed negatively in general. The online survey included Kano questions, maximum difference scaling, and an adaptive choice-based conjoint. The data gathered from these techniques provided insight into the perceptions and purchase habits of consumers. Kano data demonstrated consumer attitudes toward the presence or absence of product attributes. The maximum difference scaling scaled the importance of product attributes to consumers. An adaptive choice-based conjoint provided insight into consumer purchase habits by simulating a purchase decision through an online interface. The attributes evaluated included price, packaging material, package size, lactose removal method, shelf life, sweetness, texture, nutrition claims, and label claims. Survey responses were analyzed by univariate and multivariate statistics. Survey results quantitatively confirmed many focus group observations. Price, texture, sweetness, shelf life, and package size were the most important attributes to LFM consumers. A low price, ultrapasteurized LFM in a half-gallon cardboard package was the ideal LFM. Descriptive analysis of 9 commercial LFM followed by consumer acceptance testing was conducted. External preference mapping was conducted with trained panel and consumer acceptance results. Consumer acceptance testing of commercial LFM revealed 3 consumer clusters with distinct preferences for LFM flavor and texture. High sweet taste was a driver of liking for the overall population, and eggy flavor and viscosity were drivers of disliking. Knowledge of consumer preferences for LFM will provide actionable insights for new product development within the dairy industry for this market segment.}, number={8}, journal={JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE}, author={Rizzo, P. V. and Harwood, W. S. and Drake, M. A.}, year={2020}, month={Aug}, pages={6950–6966} } @article{del toro-gipson_rizzo_hanson_drake_2020, title={Sensory characterization of specific wood smoke aromas and their contributions to smoked Cheddar cheese flavor}, volume={35}, ISSN={["1745-459X"]}, DOI={10.1111/joss.12564}, abstractNote={Abstract}, number={3}, journal={JOURNAL OF SENSORY STUDIES}, author={Del Toro-Gipson, Rachel S. and Rizzo, Peter V and Hanson, Dana J. and Drake, MaryAnne}, year={2020}, month={Jun} }