Anais do I Congresso Latino-Americano de Ciências Sensoriais e do Consumidor

Introduction: According to the Brazilian Association of Soft Drink Industries (ABIR), between 2018 and 2019, the country produced 31 billion liters of non-alcoholic beverages (NABs), causing the sector to have a participation of 1.13% in the 2018 Brazilian Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Powdered soft drink (PSD) is an affordable non-alcoholic beverage subcategory and cashew a regional flavor well-known by Brazilian consumers. Although data from ABIR indicate a decrease in sales on this subcategory between 2018 and 2019, historical data in times of crisis however shows a tendency of growth on affordable subcategories such as PSD followed by negative growth on more premium categories such as 100% Juice. Therefore this study aims to strategically explore cashew NABs focusing on PSD through sensory descriptive panel. Objetive: Mapping, clustering and characterizing juices, nectars and PSD top sellers from the Brazilian market in order to uncover new creation routes of affordable PSDs. Methodology: 8-10 trained panelists evaluated 14 market products (7 PSDs and 7 Juices & Nectars) served at 11-13ºC in 50ml transparent plastic cups following a standardized protocol. Data were collected by FIZZ® and analyzed by XLSTAT®. For Flavor strategic mapping, PCA was applied, followed by AHC and cluster characterization. For Flavor Equities, range of score graphics were used in order to uncover the sensory differences across the NABs subcategories considered. Results: Four (4) clusters were identified and statistically characterized. Clusters 1 and 4 were composed by PSDs and clusters 2 and 3 by juices & nectars. The first principal component (PC1) on the Flavor Strategic Mapping together with the Flavor Equity range of scores graphic helped to understand the differences between PSDs and juices & nectars: PSDs had higher sweet, candied, tropical notes while juices & nectars had lower scores on those attributes in general. Conclusion: As cluster 1 comprises the main leading brands on the PSD market, it should be taken into consideration as a creation route when thinking on a new affordable Cashew PSD.