BYU Sensory Lab

We have lots of fun panels coming up! Be notified of upcoming events by joining our database. Click on the link below to sign up!
https://ndfs.byu.edu/sensory-lab/new-panelists

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Go celebrate and eat some yummy, spicy food! Did you know that the chemical in chili peppers that makes them spicy is called capsaicin? It binds to the receptors on your taste buds and other parts of the body and triggers the burning sensation. So, you don’t actually taste spice, you feel it!

Why is sensory testing important?

Sensory testing can help food producers to get inside the mind of their customers, giving them valuable insight into how they perceive their product through customers’ primary senses. Using a combination of the five main senses of taste, touch, sight, sound, and smell, restaurants or food-producing companies build subconscious loyalties to brands.
https://ndfs.byu.edu/sensory-lab

Did you know the development of taste occurs even before birth?

-Yea, that’s right. You were able, in a way, to taste food when you were still in the womb. Garlic and salty foods are particularly proven to be detected by pre-born babies due to the developed sensory neurons. These sensory neurons continue to develop after birth and as we grow more customed to different foods we taste. When we eat something, taste signals activate various neural pathways such as increased salivary and stomach production. Visionary and smelling senses also play a role in activating variations of neural pathways that contribute to one’s ability to form an opinion about certain foods.

Retrieved from https://www.nature.com/articles/486S4a

Even though it's spooky season, don't be afraid to tell your friends about the BYU Sensory Lab!
We have a ton of fun panels coming up so help us find new panelists by sharing our website https://ndfs.byu.edu/sensory-lab

Food facts!
Did you know that peppers contain more vitamin C than oranges?



These vegetables aren’t only an awesome source of Vitamin C, but are jam-packed with a ton of other vitamins and nutrients too!