Expertise: Sensory Benchmarking | Spectrum™ Method | Product Evaluation
Client
A quick-commerce platform with its own private-label staples brand, offering consumers everyday grocery essentials through a digital-first retail model.
The Challenge
When evaluating a new rice sample, how do you know whether it meets the expected quality and sensory standards?
The client approached Thinking Forks to assess a sample of Mogra rice against an established benchmark. The objective was to determine whether the sample met the defined acceptability criteria before moving ahead with a sourcing or procurement decision.
The requirement was clear: deliver an objective, data-backed Go/No-Go recommendation rather than relying on subjective opinions.
Our Approach
Thinking Forks conducted a comparative sensory evaluation using a Spectrum™-trained panel.
The panel, trained in the Spectrum method using a 150-point scale, evaluated the rice samples against fixed, reference-anchored criteria. This approach enabled calibrated and reproducible measurement of sensory attributes.
The evaluation focused on three key areas:
Overall preference: How the sample performed in comparison with the benchmark.
Key sensory differences: Specific attributes that distinguished the sample from the benchmark.
Raw and cooked rice performance: Comparative evaluation of the samples in both states.
The Outcome
The assessment provided a clear comparison between the Mogra rice sample and the benchmark, supported by objective sensory data.
Based on the defined evaluation criteria, the findings enabled a clear Go/No-Go decision:
Go: When the sample meets the majority of the defined sensory criteria.
No-Go: When the sample performs below the benchmark.
In addition to the recommendation, the evaluation identified specific sensory differences, giving the client actionable insights in less than 72 hours.
The Business Impact
Benchmarking before a sourcing or procurement commitment helps businesses make informed decisions before a batch enters the supply chain.
The findings can support decisions around:
Evaluating a new supplier or sourcing a new lot.
Assessing product consistency against an established benchmark.
Making informed supplier selection decisions.
Validating product specifications before commercial commitment.
By combining trained sensory expertise with a structured evaluation methodology, Thinking Forks helps businesses replace guesswork with measurable evidence.
Need to Benchmark Your Product?
Whether you are evaluating a new ingredient, comparing suppliers or validating a product against an established standard, Thinking Forks can help you make confident, data-backed decisions.
One sample. One Go/No-Go decision. Results in less than 72 hours.
Get in touch at hello@thinkingforks.com or https://thinkingforks.com/contact-thinkingforks/
