Key Drivers of Consumption, Conceptual, Sensory, and Emotional Profiling of Cheeses Based on Origin and Consumer Familiarity: A Case Study of Local and Imported Cheeses in Greece
The origin of a product, consumer familiarity, and purchasing identity are factors that affect the perception of cheese consumption. The present study aims at identifying consumers’ conceptualizations and attitudes towards local Greek cheeses of the North-Aegean Sea islands, such as Ladotyri, Gravie...
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2024-10-01
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| Series: | Gastronomy |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2813-513X/2/4/11 |
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| author | Malamatenia Panagiotou Efstathios Kaloudis Danai Ioanna Koukoumaki Vasiliki Bountziouka Evangelia Giannakou Margarita Pandi Konstantinos Gkatzionis |
| author_facet | Malamatenia Panagiotou Efstathios Kaloudis Danai Ioanna Koukoumaki Vasiliki Bountziouka Evangelia Giannakou Margarita Pandi Konstantinos Gkatzionis |
| author_sort | Malamatenia Panagiotou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The origin of a product, consumer familiarity, and purchasing identity are factors that affect the perception of cheese consumption. The present study aims at identifying consumers’ conceptualizations and attitudes towards local Greek cheeses of the North-Aegean Sea islands, such as Ladotyri, Graviera, Kasseri, Kaskavali, Melichloro, and Kalathaki, some of which have a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status, as opposed to cheeses of non-Greek origin, such as Cheddar, Regatto, and Gouda. Sensory and emotional attributes of local, local PDO, and imported cheeses, as well as drivers associated with consumers’ choice and acceptance above and beyond their sensory attributes, were studied using three methods: (a) flash profile to gain insight into the sensory positioning of products and description of samples; (b) qualitative analysis of focus groups to pinpoint consumer knowledge, preference, and consumption criteria; and (c) a new methodology for natural language processing and sentiment analysis of social media posts to determine consumer conceptualizations. Social media posts have proven to be a valuable source of linguistic and cultural data for cheeses. Local cheeses, including PDO products, were found to be linked to village life and family gatherings, home, tradition, and childhood memories, with saltiness and hardness being their main sensory attributes. Imported cheeses were linked to fast food, pizza, and snacking, with elasticity and gumminess as prominent sensory qualities. The main criteria for purchase were intended usage and versatility, taste and texture, price, and familiarity. The findings provide key sensory attributes, information about consumer purchasing criteria, and relevant vocabulary for the promotion of cheeses as agri-food and gastronomic identity key products. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-14b79080bc5c4d5ca8a1550aa77842b5 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2813-513X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Gastronomy |
| spelling | doaj-art-14b79080bc5c4d5ca8a1550aa77842b52025-01-24T13:33:42ZengMDPI AGGastronomy2813-513X2024-10-012414115410.3390/gastronomy2040011Key Drivers of Consumption, Conceptual, Sensory, and Emotional Profiling of Cheeses Based on Origin and Consumer Familiarity: A Case Study of Local and Imported Cheeses in GreeceMalamatenia Panagiotou0Efstathios Kaloudis1Danai Ioanna Koukoumaki2Vasiliki Bountziouka3Evangelia Giannakou4Margarita Pandi5Konstantinos Gkatzionis6Laboratory of Consumer and Sensory Perception of Food & Drinks, Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of the Aegean, Metropolite Ioakeim 2, 81400 Myrina, Lemnos, GreeceComputer Simulation, Genomics and Data Analysis Laboratory, Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of the Aegean, Metropolite Ioakeim 2, 81400 Myrina, Lemnos, GreeceLaboratory of Consumer and Sensory Perception of Food & Drinks, Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of the Aegean, Metropolite Ioakeim 2, 81400 Myrina, Lemnos, GreeceComputer Simulation, Genomics and Data Analysis Laboratory, Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of the Aegean, Metropolite Ioakeim 2, 81400 Myrina, Lemnos, GreeceLaboratory of Consumer and Sensory Perception of Food & Drinks, Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of the Aegean, Metropolite Ioakeim 2, 81400 Myrina, Lemnos, GreeceLaboratory of Consumer and Sensory Perception of Food & Drinks, Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of the Aegean, Metropolite Ioakeim 2, 81400 Myrina, Lemnos, GreeceLaboratory of Consumer and Sensory Perception of Food & Drinks, Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of the Aegean, Metropolite Ioakeim 2, 81400 Myrina, Lemnos, GreeceThe origin of a product, consumer familiarity, and purchasing identity are factors that affect the perception of cheese consumption. The present study aims at identifying consumers’ conceptualizations and attitudes towards local Greek cheeses of the North-Aegean Sea islands, such as Ladotyri, Graviera, Kasseri, Kaskavali, Melichloro, and Kalathaki, some of which have a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status, as opposed to cheeses of non-Greek origin, such as Cheddar, Regatto, and Gouda. Sensory and emotional attributes of local, local PDO, and imported cheeses, as well as drivers associated with consumers’ choice and acceptance above and beyond their sensory attributes, were studied using three methods: (a) flash profile to gain insight into the sensory positioning of products and description of samples; (b) qualitative analysis of focus groups to pinpoint consumer knowledge, preference, and consumption criteria; and (c) a new methodology for natural language processing and sentiment analysis of social media posts to determine consumer conceptualizations. Social media posts have proven to be a valuable source of linguistic and cultural data for cheeses. Local cheeses, including PDO products, were found to be linked to village life and family gatherings, home, tradition, and childhood memories, with saltiness and hardness being their main sensory attributes. Imported cheeses were linked to fast food, pizza, and snacking, with elasticity and gumminess as prominent sensory qualities. The main criteria for purchase were intended usage and versatility, taste and texture, price, and familiarity. The findings provide key sensory attributes, information about consumer purchasing criteria, and relevant vocabulary for the promotion of cheeses as agri-food and gastronomic identity key products.https://www.mdpi.com/2813-513X/2/4/11cheesesocial mediaflash profilefocus groupsprotected designation of origin |
| spellingShingle | Malamatenia Panagiotou Efstathios Kaloudis Danai Ioanna Koukoumaki Vasiliki Bountziouka Evangelia Giannakou Margarita Pandi Konstantinos Gkatzionis Key Drivers of Consumption, Conceptual, Sensory, and Emotional Profiling of Cheeses Based on Origin and Consumer Familiarity: A Case Study of Local and Imported Cheeses in Greece Gastronomy cheese social media flash profile focus groups protected designation of origin |
| title | Key Drivers of Consumption, Conceptual, Sensory, and Emotional Profiling of Cheeses Based on Origin and Consumer Familiarity: A Case Study of Local and Imported Cheeses in Greece |
| title_full | Key Drivers of Consumption, Conceptual, Sensory, and Emotional Profiling of Cheeses Based on Origin and Consumer Familiarity: A Case Study of Local and Imported Cheeses in Greece |
| title_fullStr | Key Drivers of Consumption, Conceptual, Sensory, and Emotional Profiling of Cheeses Based on Origin and Consumer Familiarity: A Case Study of Local and Imported Cheeses in Greece |
| title_full_unstemmed | Key Drivers of Consumption, Conceptual, Sensory, and Emotional Profiling of Cheeses Based on Origin and Consumer Familiarity: A Case Study of Local and Imported Cheeses in Greece |
| title_short | Key Drivers of Consumption, Conceptual, Sensory, and Emotional Profiling of Cheeses Based on Origin and Consumer Familiarity: A Case Study of Local and Imported Cheeses in Greece |
| title_sort | key drivers of consumption conceptual sensory and emotional profiling of cheeses based on origin and consumer familiarity a case study of local and imported cheeses in greece |
| topic | cheese social media flash profile focus groups protected designation of origin |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2813-513X/2/4/11 |
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