Mustard discrimination by same¯different and triangle tests: aspects of irritation, memory and tau criteria

The utility of the same¯different protocol when studying very fatiguing products (Dijon style mustard), as well as when inspecting consumersʹ abilities to discriminate among food products, was confirmed. The stabilizing effect of a familiarization procedure on the tau criterion variations in the same¯different test was investigated. Using an independent samples design, and the triangle procedure as a control, this effect was indeed observed. Furthermore, the same¯different protocol yielded a higher dʹ value than the triangle test, confirming its higher sensitivity. Sensory fatigue, rather than memory, appeared to be the reason for this higher sensitivity.