Sensory analysis as a tool to compare imported and local meat in outermost regions of Europe

Abstract

Within the outermost regions of Europe, meat is obtained from two sources: importation and local production. Transportation time is the critical factor that affects imported meat (IM) and carcass quality, whereas local meat (LM) is frequently obtained from regional breeds. The aim of this study, therefore, was to evaluate sensorial differences between IM and LM using the Canary Islands as an example of an outermost region of Europe. Two kinds of sensory analyses were performed: a triangular test with 31 untrained consumers and a descriptive test with a trained 12-member tasting panel. In the triangular test 46.7% of consumers were able to discriminate between the two kinds of meat, and there was higher preference for LM than IM (63.6% vs. 36.4%, respectively). Several sensorial differences between LM and IM were found in aspects such as lamb smell or hardness by trained panel. For this reason this study can be taken as a model to promote LM breeds in order to make them more competitive in markets. However, further studies are needed to analyse carcass and meat quality in order to standardise LM.