Sampling and preparation procedures were standardized for sensory tests during preliminary work. During initial trials the stir-fry strips appeared dry after grilling. As this may not be representative of typical usage, we decided to serve the strips in sauce. Different sauce formulations were evaluated prior to use on the sensory panel samples. The final sauce which imparted minimum flavor but prevented desiccation of the samples during holding for panel was
used. Panelist were screened and selected following procedures of Cross, Moen, and Stanfield (1978) and the American Meat Science Association (AMSA., 1978). Initially, 12 panelists began the screening procedures. Training was given during 3 weeks (7 sessions). For training purposes,
stir-fry samples from different muscles, sliced at different thicknesses (2, 4 or 6 mm) and cooked to different endpoint temperatures were used. The trained panel consisted of four females and four males and was heterogeneous with regard to age and socioeconomic status. Panel sessions
were held 3 days a week in an atmospherically controlled sensory panel room equipped with 8 individual booths and red lights. During each taste panel session samples from the same animal were presented randomly to an 8 member trained sensory panel. Each panelist received two
freshly cooked strips that had been dipped in a bland sauce (96.88% water, 2.66% modified corn starch, 0.27% beef bouillon (Bovril) and 0.19% granulated soy sauce powder (Kikkoman International, Inc., San Francisco, CA) to prevent desiccation and held at 55 C for not more than 15 min. Strips were scored for tenderness, juiciness, flavor intensity, flavor desirability, connective tissue amount, and overall acceptability using 6-point scales (6 = very tender, juicy, intense, acceptable, no connective tissue, 1 = very tough, dry, weak, unacceptable, abundant connective tissue).