Hur smakar vilt?

: En studie om hur smaken vilt kan beskrivas

Abstract

Introduction: Many organizations and projects have during the past years focused on to promote an increased consumption and knowledge for game meat. The simple question “How does game taste?” becomes in this context very essential. How can the taste of game be described with words?Literature review: Today game meat represents 4 % of the total meat consumption but approximately 59 % would like to eat more game meat. Several new Swedish studies have shown that taste descriptions of products can ease the purchase decision for the consumer. It has also been shown that our senses are influencing on our purchase decision. All the more we can catch the consumers senses all the more the purchase decision can be influenced.Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a sensory description for the gamy flavor. The aim with the study was also to answer, which words could describe the taste of game of deer, elk and boar and how clear the taste of game was in these three species.Method: With meat from three selected games a taste profile for game meat was created through a sensory descriptive test. A profile panel tasted the sirloin from deer, elk and boar. The study was performed at one occasion and divided into three separate stages. At the first stage the panel made an individual judgment by filling in a survey. In the subsequent stage the result from the survey was discussed in groups and in the final stage the taste intensity of the three different games was determined by an intensity test.Results: The results shows that game has a sour taste, a characteristic blood and metallic taste and a rich taste of wood and earth. Although the study focused on taste rather than scents, the scent of sulfur was decided to be a part of the gamy flavor as it appeared at all species. The elk and deer had a strong taste of game meanwhile the boar showed a more mild taste. The elk had the most pronounced gamy flavor.Conclusion: One conclusion that was made with the results as support is that the taste of game can be described as sour, a characteristic blood and metallic taste and a rich taste of wood and earth. Another conclusion that can be made is that the elk and the deer has a much more stronger taste of game compared to the boar which doesn’t have the same clear taste of game. By literature studies a conclusion could be made that a sensory description of game meat can ease the consumers purchase decision, create a more cutting edge marketing, and enhance the experience both for the ordinary consumer and the consumer in the tourist business. Using descriptive words for the taste of the food can also increase the communion during a meal.