What should be done with tasters before a panel begins?

Screening and training tasters before a panel begins is essential for ensuring that the evaluation process is effective and reliable. Screening helps to identify individuals who have the appropriate sensory acuity and palate sensitivity, which is crucial for obtaining accurate results from tasting evaluations. It ensures that the participants are capable of distinguishing between different sensory attributes and have a consistent understanding of what they are assessing.

Training is equally important as it familiarizes the tasters with the specific terminology, procedures, and expectations involved in the tasting process. It enhances their ability to articulate their sensory experiences, which leads to more valuable feedback during the evaluation. Collectively, screening and training help to build a panel of tasters who are well-prepared and aligned in their approach to sensory analysis, ultimately increasing the reliability of the results obtained from the tasting sessions.