The objective of this study was to compare acceptance of different flavor combinations across countries, determine consumer clusters across countries and identify drivers of liking for a healthy product (pomegranate juice). Five pomegranate juices varying in flavor character were evaluated by consumers in Estonia, Spain, Thailand, and the United States. In this study the consumers evaluated overall acceptability and flavor, sweet, sour, fruity, and pomegranate flavor liking. Also, Just About Right (JAR) questions were answered for those same attributes. The results suggested that although some samples varied in their liking across countries, larger differences in acceptance were found between consumer clusters across countries.These data suggest that individual consumer variation is greater than country specific variation. In addition, factors such as taste sensitivity or prior exposure rather than flavor are important in acceptability of pomegranate juices.

Thirty honey samples from different regions of Estonia were investigated to determine the chemical compositions, physicochemical properties, bioactive compounds, and sensory characteristics of typical honeys from a northern climate. The physicochemical parameters, such as electrical conductivity, moisture content, free acidity, hydroxymethylfurfural, diastase, and invertase activity were measured. The color was measured and expressed by L*-, a*-, and b*-coordinates. Sensory parameters were determined by using “fruity”, “floral”, “berry-like”, “herbal”, “woody”, “spicy”, “sweet”, and “animal-like” as the main odor and flavor attributes. The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were in the range of 26.2–88.7 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) per 100 g and 1.9–6.4 mg quercetin equivalents (QE) per 100 g, respectively. The identified polyphenols showed the highest intensities of caffeic acid, coumaric acid, and abscisic acid and its derivatives. The protocatechuic acid intensity was highest in honeys containing traces of honeydew elements and of cinnamic acid and myricetin in heather honey. The water-soluble antioxidant values were 37.8–311.2 mg ascorbic acid equivalents (AAE) per 100 g and the lipid soluble antioxidant values were 14.4–60.7 mg Trolox equivalents (TE) per 100 g. The major amino acid in the analyzed honeys was proline, with variable values depending on the honey’s botanical source. Correlations were calculated based on the results obtained. It was revealed that the typical Estonian honey has floral, berry-like, sweet, and rather mild sensory characteristics. Most of the honeys lacked stronger spicy, woody, and animal-like attributes. The typical color of Estonian honey is quite light.

Purpose – Foodborne illnesses are often related to raw and cooked poultry and meat, eggs, and their products. Consumer practices related to these foods have been studied in many countries, however, little comparison has been made among different countries. The purpose of this paper is to characterize consumers’ purchase, storage, handling, and preparation of poultry products and eggs in four European countries: Russia, Estonia, Italy, and Spain. Design/methodology/approach – Approximately 100 selected consumers in each location completed a questionnaire that included sections about poultry products and eggs purchase temperatures and locations, storage locations such as refrigerator, freezer, or cabinet, and preparation such as washing eggs and poultry before cooking, and the use of cutting boards. Findings – Although educating consumers in European countries is common, some food safety aspects may need to be additionally addressed. The results indicated differences in purchase and storage practices of raw eggs. In Russia and Estonia consumers who participated in the study purchased both refrigerated and room temperature eggs whereas in Italy (84 percent) and Spain (87 percent) eggs typically were purchased at room temperature. However, almost all consumers in all countries stored eggs in the refrigerator. In Russia 70 percent of the consumers who participated in the study immediately froze raw meat, poultry, or seafood after purchase; while in other countries about a quarter of the consumers froze the raw meat. Research limitations/implications – This research was limited by the number of respondents in each country that does not allow extrapolation of results. Originality/value – Food preparation practices revealed behavior that supports cross-contamination during cooking, such as washing raw poultry and eggs. A uniform approach to food safety practices related research, such as presented in this study, would help define overlapping critical points in consumer behavior and create educational messages based on the information gathered.

Sensory and instrumental characteristics of 25 commercial strawberry jam samples manufactured in 11 countries were compared to determine whether the development of a sensory or origin standard for strawberry jams was practical. Appearance, texture and flavor attributes were evaluated by sensory analysis. Color, hardness, sugar and acid profile, pH, dry weight and Brix of the samples were measured using instrumental means. The sweet attribute was correlated with total sugars (0.88), glucose (0.68), sucrose content (0.71), Brix (0.89) and dry weight of the samples (0.91). Sensory properties indicated three clusters of jams: (1) sweet, red-colored jams holding a high-fruit content; (2) jams containing artificial aromas and a granular structure; and (3) brown-colored jams that were somewhat bitter, sour and astringent. Those clusters were independent of country of origin, thus a Protected Designation of Origin standard does not seem appropriate. However, a sensory standard based on color, sweetness and natural strawberry identity appears possible.