Limiares hedônicos e influência da cor da embalagem na percepção sensorial de chocolate com diferentes percentuais de cacau

Chocolate is a very consumed food in Brazil, being the milk type, one of the most appreciated by Brazilians. The consumption of chocolates with cocoa percentage above 70% can confer numerous health benefits due to the phenolic compounds present and therefore their consumption should be stimulated. However, the increase of cocoa in chocolate formulations results in changes in sensory characteristics, among which the increase in the intensity of bitter taste, which is depreciated by many chocolate consumers, is highlighted. In view of this, it is necessary to determine the maximum amount of cocoa that can be added to the chocolate without compromising its acceptance or sensorial rejection by consumers of milk chocolate, which can be established by means of the identification of hedonic thresholds. Once identified, the hedonic thresholds may help in the adoption of better strategies to encourage the consumption of chocolates with higher percentages of cocoa for this public. Therefore, the objective of the study was to identify hedonic thresholds, compromised acceptance threshold and Hedonic Rejection Threshold and to study how packaging colors can influence the acceptance and perception of sweet taste and bitter taste of chocolates. In this context, the Hedonic Threshold Methodology (MLH) was applied in commercial chocolates containing 28%, 34%, 41%, 55%, 70% and 85% of cocoa in its formulation, in order to verify the percentage of cocoa occurs the compromise of acceptance (CAT - Compromised Acceptance Threshold) and sensorial rejection (HRT - Hedonic Rejection Threshold). A total of 110 consumers of milk chocolate were recruited, who performed five acceptance test sessions. It was verified that from 37.80% of cocoa occurs the compromise of the acceptance of chocolates and from 60.59% of cocoa, the chocolates are now sensorially rejected for the group of consumers participating in the study. In the second stage of the study, 90 consumers of milk chocolate evaluated the effect of silver, black and red colors on the acceptance and perception of the bitter and sweet tastes of commercial chocolates with 28%, 41% and 70% of cocoa, classified as milk , semisweet and bitter, respectively. It was found that chocolates with 28% and 41% cocoa were accepted by consumers in all packaging colors used. Chocolate with 70% cocoa was favored by the colors black and red, however, when packed in silver, this was rejected. Regarding the intensity of sweet taste, it was observed that milk chocolates and bitter medium had the highest averages, in all packaging colours. The bitter chocolate was perceived with greater intensity of sweet taste when packaged in black color. As for the intensity of bitter taste, the milk chocolates and bitter medium presented lower intensities than the bitter chocolate, which was perceived more bitter than the other chocolates when packed in silver colour (p≤0.05). Thus, we conclude that the study participants can consume chocolates with up to 37.80% without compromising acceptance. Chocolates with a percentage of cocoa from 60.59% are sensorially rejected by consumers of milk chocolate. The black color can increase the intensity of sweet taste and reduce the perception of bitter taste in bitter chocolates.