The QDA, a classical method to describe samples, was used in the
present study because the assessor panel was well-trained as they
took part in other studies in our lab; therefore, they were very familiar
with the sample category (cherry tomato). Although there are several novel methods for describing and characterizing products (Varela &
Ares, 2012), the experience of our panel and the high specialization of
assessors should be taken into account and valued. Such characteristics,
according to Moussaoui and Varela (2010) allow getting very detailed,
consistent, and reproducible results within a sensory space. Similar approach
was adopted by Latocha, Jankowski, and Radzanowska (2011)
when evaluating genotypes of hardy kiwi. They have chosen QDA for
the panel experience in descriptive analysis of vegetables, fruits and
spices. Besides, the common practice to analyse data using PCA, and visualize
descriptive results through sensory mapping is useful to separate
samples based on the similarities and differences in the intensity of the
investigated sensory attributes