Get more diagnostic ability by integrating sensory and consumer research results to accurately predict consumer liking. The challenge A company wanted to break into the expanding ready-to-drink carbonated beverage market. They needed to know what flavor combinations would appeal to the target market and if there were new flavor opportunities. The solution Compusense recommended Sensory Research followed by Consumer Product Research to optimize product formulation and identify opportunities for new flavors. The process Working with the company's product developers, Compusense narrowed the list of prototypes from 40 to 15. The 15 represented different flavor combinations, plus varying levels of sourness, sweetness, carbonation and color. Prototypes were securely stored, then served under controlled conditions to reduce variance. Twelve trained panelists evaluated the beverages for more than 40 attributes (including appearance, aroma, flavor and mouthfeel) to develop sensory profiles of each prototype. Four distinct prototypes were selected for consumer testing. Consumer testing was conducted in a controlled manner at three different locations across North America, with 150 screened consumers at each location. Consumers were asked product-related questions such as overall liking, liking of appearance and flavor, purchase intent, as well as questions about their demographics and purchasing habits. The results Sensory and Consumer data were analyzed using multivariate statistics to identify key attributes that drive consumer liking and purchase intent: Lemon flavor and sourness were identified as key drivers. Sweetness and carbonation did not influence liking or purchase intent. Color influenced purchase intent for consumers who regularly drank sports-type beverages. Tropical fruit flavors were identified as a new opportunity.