Sensory Profile and Consumer Acceptability of Saltedand-Smoked/Dried Pork (Etag)-Based Seasoning Products

Abstract

Etag, a traditional Philippine salted-and-dried pork delicacy, is central to the culinary heritage of the Cordillera region but remains restricted to local markets due to its traditional form. This study sought to modernize this indigenous product by developing and evaluating etag-based seasonings, specifically bouillon cube, granule, and liquid formats, bridging the gap between ethnic food preservation and the global convenience market. The current study profiled the sensory characteristics (color, flavor, texture, and clarity) of hot-smoked, cold-smoked, and sun-dried variants, and assessed consumer acceptability across local and non-local demographics. Sensory profiling by a semi-trained panel confirmed successful flavor replication: the cold-smoking process yielded the most intense smoke profile, while sun-dried variants retained a distinct, non-smoked cured pork flavor. Color profile showed high similarity to the original meat, ranging from butter yellow to amber, achieved without artificial additives. However, textural analysis revealed formatspecific challenges; while cubes were fine-textured, granules exhibited clumpiness, and liquid seasoning lacked clarity ("muddy"). Consumer acceptability was measured using a 7-point Hedonic Scale. Results indicate significant geographic segmentation; hot-smoked and sun-dried variants demonstrated universal appeal, showing no significant difference in liking between consumer groups. Conversely, the cold-smoked variant emerged as a niche product, highly favored by local consumers but significantly less accepted by non-local consumers due to its intense smoke aroma and taste. Despite these regional differences, all variants achieved an overall acceptability mean above 4.5, indicating good commercial viability. The study concludes that etag-based seasonings are market-ready, provided that processing refinements address liquid clarity and granule flowability. Strategic geographic marketing is recommended to align the intense profiles of traditional variants with appropriate consumer segments.