Factors Affecting the Perception of Flavor

Flavor perception depends on many factors related to the product being evaluated as well as to the person doing the evaluating. These factors determine how flavor is ultimately perceived. A few of the important factors that affect flavor perception are listed in the sections that follow. While it is still unclear exactly how these factors affect flavor perception, it is thought that many work by changing the release of flavor molecules from food. If flavor molecules are released differently, flavor will be perceived differently.