The sensory acceptance and profile of Indonesian sambal-terasi: Impact of terasi type and concentration

Terasies are traditional Indonesian condiments based on rebon (planktonic shrimp), typically added to chili sauce (sambal-terasi). Terasies vary highly in composition and quality and therefore it is difficult to standardize sambalterasi production. A hedonic test using 118 untrained panelists showed that the salty and the rebon flavor were key attributes of sambal-terasi determining consumer acceptance and preference. Sweetness, originating from the chili sauce, umami and bitter-off notes influenced the sensory acceptance of the sambal-terasies. The variation in biogenic amine content of terasi could not be related to the differences in sensory acceptance, while the content of the short chain fatty acids were the lowest in the most preferred terasies. The terasi concentration impacted on the salty, umami and bitter notes and rebon flavor of sambal-terasi, evaluated by trained panel. Concentration of > 13.8% (fresh weight) terasi created a strong salty, bitter and rebon character and weakened its umami and sweet character.