ASTM E1885-97

Standard Test Method for Sensory Analysis-Triangle Test

SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for determining whether a perceptible sensory difference exists between samples of two products.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Jul-1997
• Technical Committee: E18 - Sensory Evaluation
• Drafting Committee: E18.04 - Test Methods

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM E1885-97(2003) - Standard Test Method for Sensory Analysis—Triangle Test
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2003
• Referred By: ASTM E3261-21 - Standard Guide for Odor Evaluation of Products and Materials Under Controlled Conditions With Trained Panel
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-1997
• Referred By: ASTM E460-21 - Standard Practice for Determining Effect of Packaging on Food and Beverage Products During Storage
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-1997
• Referred By: ASTM E2610-18 - Standard Test Method for Sensory Analysis—Duo-Trio Test
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-1997
• Referred By: ASTM E1958-22 - Standard Guide for Sensory Claim Substantiation
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-1997
• Referred By: ASTM E2892-21 - Standard Test Method for Odor and Flavor Transfer From Materials in Contact With Municipal Drinking Water
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-1997
• Referred By: ASTM E3009-23 - Standard Test Method for Sensory Analysis—Tetrad Test
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-1997
• Referred By: ASTM E3093-20 - Standard Guide for Structured Small Group Product Evaluations
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-1997

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: E 1885 – 97
Standard Test Method for
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Sensory Analysis — Triangle Test
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1885; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope ISO 4120 Sensory Analysis – Methodology – Triangular
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Test
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for determining
whether a perceptible sensory difference exists between
3. Terminology
samples of two products.
3.1 Definitions–For definition of terms relating to sensory
1.2 This test method applies whether a difference may exist
analysis, see Terminology E 253, and for terms relating to
in a single sensory attribute or in several.
statistics, see Terminology E 456.
1.3 This test method is applicable when the nature of the
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
difference between the samples is unknown. It does not
3.2.1 a (alpha) risk—the probability of concluding that a
determine the size or the direction of the difference. The
perceptible difference exists when, in reality, one does not.
attribute(s) responsible for the difference are not identified.
(Also known as Type I Error or significance level.)
1.4 Compared to the duo-trio test, the triangle test can
3.2.2 b (beta) risk—the probability of concluding that no
achieve an equivalent level of statistical significance with
perceptible difference exists when, in reality, one does. (Also
fewer assessors. For details on how the triangle test compares
2
known as Type II Error.)
to other three-sample tests, see Refs (1), (2), (3) and (4).
3.2.3 p —the probability of a correct response.
c
1.5 This test method is applicable only if the products are
3.2.4 p (proportion of discriminators)—the proportion of
d
homogeneous. If two samples of the same product can often be
the population represented by the assessors that can distinguish
distinguished, then another method, for example, descriptive
between the two products.
analysis, may be more appropriate.
3.2.5 product—the material to be evaluated.
1.6 This test method is applicable only when the products
3.2.6 sample—the unit of product prepared, presented, and
do not cause excessive sensory fatigue, carryover or adapta-
evaluated in the test.
tion.
3.2.7 sensitivity—a general term used to summarize the
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
performance characteristics of the test. The sensitivity of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
test is rigorously defined, in statistical terms, by the values
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
selected for a, b, and p .
d
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.3 triad—the three uniquely coded samples given to an
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
assessor in the triangle test; two samples are alike (that is, of
2. Referenced Documents one product) and one is different (that is, of the other product).
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4. Summary of Test Method
E 253 Terminology Relating to Sensory Evaluation of Ma-
3 4.1 Clearly define the test objective in writing.
terials and Products
3
4.2 Choose the number of assessors based on the level of
E 456 Terminology for Statistical Methods
sensitivity desired for the test. The sensitivity of the test is, in
E 1871 Practice for Serving Protocol for Sensory Evalua-
part, a function of two competing risks: the risk of declaring
tion of Foods and Beverages
the samples different when they are not (that is, a-risk) and the
2.2 ISO Standard:
risk of not declaring the samples different when they are (that
is, b-risk). Acceptable values of a and b vary depending on the
test objective and should be determined before the test (see
Appendix X3).
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4.3 Assessors receive a triad and are informed that two of
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-18 on Sensory
Evaluation of Materials and Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcom-
the samples are alike and that one is different. The assessors
mittee E18.04 on Application of Established Methods.
Current edition approved July 10, 1997. Published August 1998.
2
The boldface numbers given in parentheses refer to a list of references at the
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end of the text. Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St., 13th
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Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.07. Floor, New York, NY 10036.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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