Differences in melting perception were expected to lead to
differences in flavour perception. Indeed, the aroma compounds
entrapped in the food matrix are released in the mouth during the
melting phase and conveyed to the olfactory system through the
retronasal pathway. If melting speed is different from shape to
shape, the flavour release and consequently the overall perception
of the flavour should differ. Accordingly, quick melting should
induce a faster aroma release and thus a stronger cocoa flavour. This
is contradictory to our findings showing that cocoa intensity was
negatively correlated with the perceived melting. However, it may
be that a slower melting rate contributes to a stronger cocoa flavour
because stimuli are released in the mouth over a longer period of
time. This is what would suggest a recent study from Ruijschop
et al. (2011) that showed that an increased duration of oral processing
led to higher cumulative retro-nasal aroma stimulation per
gram consumed