Selection of Attributes for the Sensory Evaluation of Anchovies During the Ripening Process

Anchovy semipreserves are elaborated in Mediterranean countries with ripened Engraulis encrasicolus obtained by a traditional process. In order to identify those sensory attributes that are most useful as indicators of the ripening stage of Engraulis encrasicolus we performed sensory analyses of anchovy samples obtained at intervals throughout the ripening process. The resulting 90 × 44 sample‐by‐attribute matrix was analyzed by principal components analysis, leading to the selection of 11 attributes that are reliable indicators of ripening stage and spoilage. The attributes chosen were gray color of the external side; red color of the external side, internal side and backbone mark; the odors Iberian ham and fish meal; the flavors anchovy and bitter; and the texture attributes firmness and juiciness.