Understanding taste. Growing quality.
The Taste Discovery Center (TDC) supports plant breeders, growers, producers, and other stakeholders across the fresh produce value chain in developing and improving products with outstanding flavour. We combine in-depth knowledge of genetics, cultivation, and quality analysis with advanced measurement techniques to provide objective insights into flavour, texture, aroma, and processing characteristics.
Fresh produce processors require consistent quality, while consumers increasingly expect products with distinctive flavour and superior intrinsic quality. The TDC supports companies in understanding, measuring, and improving these characteristics – from initial analysis to practical application in breeding, cultivation, and quality management.
Our expertise focuses on:
- Taste and sensory quality of fresh produce
- Objective and quantitative quality measurements
- Relationship between chemical composition and consumer appreciation
- Relationships between cultivation and sensory quality of fruits and vegetables
- Breeding focused on taste and quality
- Development of routine analysis methods
We use advanced analysis techniques and texture analysis to reliably measure quality characteristics and translate them into practical applications.
From sensory experience to measurable quality
Flavor and texture are determined by complex interactions between constituents and cell structures. By objectively measuring these properties and linking them to sensory assessments by expert and consumer panels, a powerful foundation is created for product development and quality improvement.
The TDC helps organizations to:
- Make product quality insightful
- Understanding the differences between breeds and cultivation methods
- Objectively measure sensory properties
- To support breeding programs
- Aligning products better with consumer preferences
- To support quality control of fresh produce
Services
Sensory analysis
We help characterize taste, smell, texture and mouthfeel of fruit products and prepared products.
Chemical and physical quality analysis
We analyze materials with advanced techniques such as GC-MS, UPLC-MS, FTIR and NMR.
Development of measurement methods
We develop practical analysis methods for quality control, product development, breeding, and cultivation processes.
Objective measurement of taste and quality
The Taste Discovery Centre supports companies in the fresh produce chain in analyzing, developing, and improving the sensory and quality characteristics of products.
Our approach combines advanced laboratory analyses with sensory evaluation and practical knowledge of breeding and cultivation.
Sensory analysis
We help characterize taste, smell, texture and mouthfeel of fruit products and prepared products.
Possibilities:
- Expert panels
- Consumer panels
- Sensory profile analyses
- Comparison of varieties, cultivation methods, and storage conditions
- Analysis of taste differences
Chemical and physical quality analysis
Taste and quality are determined by a complex composition of ingredients. We analyze ingredients using advanced techniques such as:
- GC-MS
- UPLC-MS
- FTIR
- NMR
- Texture analysis
Development of routine measurement methods
We are developing practical analysis methods that allow for routine measurement of taste and quality for:
- Quality control
- Product development
- Refinement
- Optimization of cultivation processes
Support of breeding
The TDC supports breeding programs focused on taste and intrinsic quality.
Possible routes
- Characterization of desired taste and quality attributes
- Identifying relevant (bio)chemical and texture parameters
- Developing objective analysis methods
- Identifying genetic factors that influence quality
- Support for targeted breeding, optionally with the most modern genetic methods.
Cultivation and storage analysis
Quality is determined not only by genetics, but also by growing conditions, harvest time, and storage.
We help in visualizing the effects of:
- Cultivation strategy
- Fertilization
- Climate
- Ear ripeness
- Storage methods
- Shelf life
The goal is to optimize taste, texture, and shelf life.
Partners
Collaboration as the Foundation for Innovation
The Taste Discovery Centre collaborates with partners within the fresh produce sector, food industry, breeding, and analytical technology.
By combining knowledge of genetics, cultivation, laboratory analysis, and consumer research, we can approach complex issues integrally and develop innovative solutions.
We believe that sustainable quality improvement arises from collaboration between all links in the chain. Are you interested in a partnership or joint innovation project? Please contact us.
About Us
The Taste Discovery Centre is an initiative by Hans van Doorn, Bert van Tol, and Johan Kos. With their years of experience in quality analysis, cultivation, breeding, and sensory properties of fruit and vegetable products, they support companies that want to invest in taste and product quality.
Hans van Doorn is a specialist in the measurement and breeding of quality characteristics of fruit and vegetable products. He has decades of experience gained at international market leaders in the breeding sector, including Syngenta and HZPC. His expertise lies in the areas of taste development, genetics, quality analysis, and translating consumer experience into breeding objectives.
Bert van Tol possesses in-depth knowledge and experience in analytical quality measurements within the fruit and vegetable sector. As a former laboratory owner, he has built extensive expertise in analytical techniques, quality control, and the practical implementation of measurement methods within the food and agriculture sectors.
Johan Kos has extensive experience in the horticultural sector in the areas of practical research, innovation, and cultivation development. As former director of Vertify, he worked for many years on connecting research, technology, and the practical aspects of open-field vegetable cultivation, arable farming, and greenhouse horticulture. His expertise lies in innovation projects, cultivation optimization, and collaborations within the fruit and vegetable sector.
Contact
Contact us
Would you like to learn more about the possibilities of the Taste Discovery Centre or discuss how we can contribute to the development of flavorful, high-quality products? We look forward to hearing from you.
Johan Kos j.kos@tastediscoverycentre.nl
Hans van Doorn h.vandoorn@tastediscoverycentre.nl
Bert van Tol b.vantol@tastediscoverycentre.nl
Working together on taste and quality
Whether your focus is product development, quality control, plant breeding, or sensory analysis: the Taste Discovery Centre provides the expertise, experience and advanced analytical techniques to support your objectives. Feel free to contact us to discuss how we can help and explore the possibilities.