THE BEVERAGE AND FOOD PRODUCTS ASSESSMENT BY THE INTERNATIONAL TASTE AND QUALITY INSTITUTE (iTQi) AT EUROPEAN LEVEL

Cecilia Pop, Gabriela Frunză

Abstract
    The study aimed to analyze the evaluation of beverages and food products by the International Taste and Quality Institute (iTQi), in Europe. These International Awards can be compared to Michelin Stars (similar to the Michelin Guide, iTQi does not organize a competition, but rewards each product for its merits). The working method aimed the analyze of the information collected from iTQi database for the entire period in which there are records (2015, 2016 and 2017) and their processing according to the distinctions obtained for the beverage and food products assessed by the iTQi jury, after a blind evaluation: Diamond Taste Award (DTA), Crystal Taste Award (CTA) and Superior Taste Award (STA). The jury gives each product a certain score (maximum 100 points) after testing, based on the following criteria: appearance, smell, texture, flavor and taste. All products with a minimum score of 70 points are rated as STA and are awarded with one, two or three gold stars, depending on the score achieved. The highest distinction granted by iTQi is represented by DTA (the product analyzed obtaining more than 90 points seven times in the last ten years), followed by CTA (the product analyzed obtaining over 90 points three years in a row). The analysis conducted reveals a slight growth trend of the number of awards granted by iQTi, from 796 awards in 2015 (764 STA, 26 CTA and 6 DTA), to 799 awards in 2016 (765 STA, 30 CTA and 4 DTA) and respectively 833 awards in 2017 (813 STA, 15 CTA and 5 DTA). Romania has so far only gained STA recognition, but to an increasing number of products (seven in 2015, 12 in 2016 and 17 in 2017).

Key words: quality, taste, awards, beverages, food products