4. Conclusions
All three palatability traits played a major role in determining overall acceptability as indicated by high correlation coefficients for each trait. Even when consumers scored tenderness low, as with the SM, superior flavor and juiciness could compensate to improve the overall liking and acceptability of beef. Overall liking of SV and GM from higher quality carcasses was superior to LL from lower quality carcasses and comparable to LL from higher quality carcasses. The SV Top Choice was most desirable for juiciness compared to all other muscle × quality grade treatments, perhaps due to higher pH values increasing water-holding capacity within the SV and greater IMF of SV than any other muscle. Overall, results showed that marketing the GM and SV from Top Choice carcasses on the basis of comparable overall consumer acceptability to Top Choice LL could add additional value to the carcass.