CONSUMER PREFERENCE OF DULCE DE LECHE AMONG STUDENTS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

Dulce de Leche is a dairy-based confectionary product virtually unknown outside Latin America. A 2⁴ factorial design was implemented to study the influence of sugar composition, type of neutralizer, cooking time and presence of vanilla essence on the preference of Dulce de Leche by UK university students. A fractional factorial pattern was used in sen'ing samples to assessors. Analysis of variance showed that the preferred levels were: 40% replacement of sucrose by glucose syrup, 100% sodium bicarbonate as neutralizer, and no vanilla essence. Cooking time did not significantly affect preference. Partial least squares regression was used to relate preference to sensory profile scores. The correlation was good for appearance and texture, not so for flavor and aftertaste. A mapping technique showed consumers to be uniformly grouped for appearance and texture, not so for flavor. Results from preference and general acceptability were encouraging in promoting this new dairy product in Great Britain.