Dear Colleagues,
The changes in society in recent years have radically modified the beverage industry by combining the concept of globalization with the revaluation of local production. Besides, many alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are now seen as a vehicle of healthy constituents such as probiotics, prebiotics, vitamins, and energy boosters. Besides, the COVID pandemic is showing that we must take care of ourselves and the phrase “let the food be your medicine”, can also be applied to the world of beverage products.
Consumers worldwide are also changing their behavior when deciding what to eat and drink. This change includes consumers’ “willing to pay”, a decision based upon how well the product satisfy their needs, not only sensorially but also in terms of health benefits and nutritional value. Moreover, in the digital age with ubiquitous connectivity, peer-to-peer networking, engagement, immersion, and content creation, consumers can shape and be shaped by this new digital culture. The advertising industry is persistently exploiting the special relationship that consumers have with new media, with online campaigns that create unparalleled relationships between them and the brands that surround them.
Modern beverage industries must produce high-quality products, with expected levels of health-promoting compounds, pleasant to drink, and, at the same time, to minimize the risk of potentially harmful ingredients such as sulfites and other allergenic preservatives, heavy metals, mycotoxins, and additional potentially hazard compounds.
To complement all these requirements the beverage industry must employ laboratory techniques where speed is imperative. Technology solutions must require fewer samples or, non-destructive techniques. They must provide quick answers, to allow the operator to decide quickly about further steps to control or release the product to market. Sensors and the related data modeling, which allows the "measure", are evolving to meet the needs of the beverage sector.
Designing a sensory quality control program is also fundamental. This allows to maintain proficiency testing of sensory panels, use innovative sensory methods that permit establishing product sensory specifications. Also, the development of alternative instrumental techniques or devices able to overcome the limitations of the human senses has become an attractive topic for the beverage industry. The development of these instruments - e-noses, tongues - is based on their ability to mimic the human sensory response, which is strongly dependent on the many biological mechanisms involved from the stimulus to their corresponding interpretation.
This Special Issue includes innovative studies aiming to address beverage industry challenges not only in terms of product quality but, also, in terms of sensory science-development, instrumental analysis, sensors, and digital engagement.
Prof. Dr. Alice Vilela
Guest Editor
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