What type of sensory test is triangulation?

Triangulation is classified as a discriminative sensory test. This type of test is designed to determine whether there are discernible differences between two or more products based on sensory attributes. In triangulation, participants are presented with three samples—two of which are the same, and one that is different. The goal of the test is to identify the odd sample out, thus assessing the ability of the testers to discriminate between the subtle differences in sensory characteristics.

Discriminative tests like triangulation are essential in quality control and product development, as they provide valuable insights regarding consumer sensory perceptions and preferences. They are not focused on describing the specific characteristics of a product (which would align with descriptive testing), nor are they concerned with emotional responses to a product (affective testing) or consumer acceptance levels (acceptance testing). Thus, the classification of triangulation as a discriminative test is accurate based on its intent and methodology.