Sensory and Consumer Science
The research group aims to understand how people perceive and experience foods by making use of their senses and how sensory perception relates to food quality properties, preferences and behaviour.
In an analytical approach we study sensory properties of foods with trained panels and can link perception to advanced instrumental techniques. From a consumer perspective, we study food preferences and aversions in a range products and consumer segments. We work with a variety of target groups including children, adults, elderly as well as patients and consumers with special needs.
We investigate how repeated exposure and perceptual learning shape food-related behaviours, tracing the path from initial product perception to eventual acceptance—or rejection. Our consumer research further highlights the dynamic role of context and individual background in shaping food preferences and choices. As part of this work, we design and refine novel sensory methodologies to probe the complex links between food composition, sensory experiences, and consumer decision-making.
- Analytical sensory product evaluation
- Mouthfeel (incl. astringency) and food oral processing
- Consumer food and beverage preferences
- Consumer behaviour
- Immersive food contexts and perception
- Sensory methods used in innovation
We provide a variety of state-of-the-art equipment for sensory analyses and laboratories for observation to analyse consumer behaviour and choice.
Our equipment and facilities are the core in our “Future Consumer lab”.
We have trained sensory panels and consumer panel databases for various food and beverage research topics.
We also conduct field studies in nurseries, kindergartens, schools, and workplaces, or at consumers’ own homes.
We have expertise on sensory data analysis and monitoring panel performance.
Professor Wender Bredie:
- PROFERMENT - Solid-state fermentations for protein transformations and palatability of plant-based foods (Novo Nordisk Fonden, Co-PI and PW leader)
- SEEDFOOD - Functional and palatable plant seed storage proteins for sustainable foods (Novo Nordisk Fonden, Project partner)
- ForSea - Formulating seaweed products as high-value ingredients for food and nutraceuticals markets (PEU: SBEP-EPSS, Project partner)
- More taste less waste – Sustainable production of healthy nutritious cereal-based food for senior citizens with focus on their sensory perception (Formas, WP leader)
- SHIFT2HEALTH (EU HORIZON-HLTH-2022-STAYHLTH, Project partner)
- Rehabilitation of smell loss through cooking (Project partner in Collaboration with Flavour Institute, Holstebro, Veluxfonden)
- Protein from locally grown legumes and algae for organic chickens – ProLocAl (GUDP, WP leader)
Associate professor Michael Bom Frøst (research group leader):
- HortiFoodtrends 'Berry fruits – superfruits for health and vitality' (Horizon Europe, CSA WP-leader)
- BOOST - Boosting local production of organic high quality grain (GUDP, Organic research)
- Indonesian consumers’ coffee choice (DIKTI-Indonesian Ministry of Research and Education, PhD-supervisor)
- Fungitaste - Food for many with mushrooms (Plantefonden)
Associate professor Helene Reinbach:
- SHIFT2HEALTH (EU HORIZON-HLTH-2022-STAYHLTH, Project partner)
- HealthFerm (Horizon Europe, UCPH-project leader) Innovative pulse and cereal-based food fermentations for human health and sustainable diets
- Rehabilitation of smell loss through cooking (Project partner in Collaboration with Flavour Institute, Holstebro, Veluxfonden)
Associate professor Qian Janice Wang (section head):
- Promoting consumer behaviour change in the post-digital age (Novo Nordic start package grant, PI)
- Olfactory Cultural Studies (NordForsk exploratory workshops, Project partner)
Group members:
| Name | Title | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Search in Name | Search in Title | Search in Phone | |
| Allesen-Holm, Bodil Helene | Academic Research Staff | +4535333658 | |
| Bredie, Wender | Professor | +4535333242 | |
| Bro, Rasmus | Professor | +4535333296 | |
| Cardin, Marco | Postdoc | +4535323257 | |
| Chow, Ching Yue | Postdoc | +4535324080 | |
| Dandanell, Charlotte | Nutrition Assistant | +4535320197 | |
| Holt, Sylvester | Assistant Professor - Tenure Track | +4535321545 | |
| Kaushal, Vandana | Postdoc | +4535333195 | |
| Lange, Belinda | Coordinator | +4535331959 | |
| Nielsen, Frederikke Hjertholm | Industrial PhD | ||
| Petersen, Mikael Agerlin | Associate Professor | +4535333243 | |
| Quintanilla Casas, Beatriz | Assistant Professor | +4535329913 | |
| Rao, Ramya | PhD Fellow | +4535323970 | |
| Wang, Qian Janice | Associate Professor |