Influence of the Rearing System on Consumer Acceptance of Abalone (Haliotis Tuberculata)

Abstract

A consumer study has been carried out to evaluate the possibilities of abalone as a new product on the market. The cultivation of this mollusk is hardly present in Europe, so it is an unknown food despite its appreciated characteristics in the rest of the world. A series of tastings were carried out to obtain a measurable evaluation by potential consumers, in which this food was presented to them in different forms. The product presented differences in the way of eating, with the purpose of analyzing the repercussion of diet on the perception of the product and on the sensory analysis, in order to know the possibilities of its production in the future. The results were consistent with what was expected in relation to other studies and the influence of information on consumers, obtaining high ratings for the product. The traditional exploitation of this resource almost led to its extinction a couple of decades ago, so achieving sustainable production represents an achievement and a good opportunity at many levels, diversifying Spanish aquaculture and favoring the creation of new jobs. The level of neophobia was also evaluated in terms of its influence on the introduction of new products to the market, in order to know the starting point of the participants in the study and to be able to extrapolate certain conclusions from the answers obtained.