The influence of the texture and color of goat’s salad cheese on the emotional reactions of consumers compared to cow’s milk cheese and Feta cheese

In this study, the sensory and mechanical aspects of the texture of goat’s milk salad cheese were correlated with the emotional profiles of consumers. Using descriptive sensory analysis and instrumental assessment, the texture profile of goat’s milk salad cheese was compared to cow’s milk salad cheese and Feta cheese. Texture measurements confirmed that goat’s cheese compared to cow’s cheese had more softness and less hardness, and Feta cheese had the highest whiteness index compared to the other cheeses. Goat’s milk salad cheese was much less acceptable to consumers compared to cow’s milk cheese and Feta cheese. Consumers also indicated that the hardness of goat’s cheese was lower than that of cow’s cheese and Feta cheese. A reduction in “stickiness” in comparison with cow’s cheese was also reported; however, it was much higher than that for Feta cheese. The “fracturability” and “graininess” of goat’s cheese was similar to cow’s cheese. Emotional profile analysis showed that goat’s cheese evokes mainly negative emotions. Consumers indicated only one positive emotion in the case of this cheese, which was “healthy”. The most frequently mentioned emotions after the consumption of goat’s cheese were “upset”, “disgusted” and “worried”. Many consumers also indicated “disappointed” and “angry”, which did not occur after the consumption of cow’s cheese. This research shows how important it is to combine several analyses and techniques when evaluating dairy products, including salad cheeses. It is also important that consumer research is enriched by emotional profiling. Graphical abstract