Sensory Characteristics of Combinations of Phenolic Compounds Potentially Associated with Smoked Aroma in Foods

The sensory characteristics of phenolic compounds combinations were evaluated. A highly trained descriptive panel evaluated combinations of chemicals (two chemicals at a time) containing either one smoky aroma and one non-smoky aroma chemical compound, two smoky aroma chemicals, or two non-smoky aroma chemicals. The non-smoky compounds had been associated with smoke aroma in other studies, but were not found to be smoky when tested individually. Smoked flavor characteristics and intensities were changed significantly when two phenolic compounds were combined. Non-smoky phenolic compounds often contributed the smoked flavor when combined with one smoky phenolic compound or another non-smoky phenolic compound. It is necessary to understand the sensory characteristics of compound combinations as well as individual compounds.