What It's Like To Be Paid To Taste Food

Before products hit grocery store shelves, they are tasted, touched, and smelled by sensory evaluators first. You may know them more informally as taste testers, but sensory evaluators do so much more than taste food. They test everything from fabrics to fragrances to pizza.
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Following is a transcript of the video:
Have you ever wondered - what would it be like to taste food for a living? Well, these people do. They're called Sensory Evaluators. You might call them taste testers, but they're so much more than that!
Gail Vance Civille: My name is Gail Vance Civille. I am the founder, owner, and president of Sensory Spectrum and I have been in the sensory business for over 50 years. You do the math.
Sensory evaluators are trained for over 100 hours - more on that later. They evaluate the texture, flavor, or fragrance of a product. From toilet paper to chocolate to cheese, they test it all. Why do sensory evaluators do what they do?
Gail Vance Civille: Very often our job is to look at prototypes with some ingredients substituted so that we can tell the product developers, “Yes you are safe making this in the place of your current product and still having the same sensory properties.”
There's a whole host of reasons why a product might change. Like swapping out an ingredient for something cheaper or healthier. Take, for instance, Kraft Mac & Cheese. Remember when they changed to all-natural ingredients? No preservatives or artificial dyes? But the flavor stayed the same. Boom! Thank your sensory evaluators.
Gail Vance Civille: The role of sensory evaluation is to stand at the shoulder or next to the product developer and say, “If you have a charge to make a new product, to make an improved product, to make an ingredient substitution, I am here as your ally and your cohort to tell you whether or not you succeeded. Were you able to maintain the appearance, the flavor and the texture of that product so that you are, you have achieved what you set out to do. That is my job. I stand there and say, “You know what, this is very very close. Or it’s spot on, I think you should move forward with it.”
So How would Gail describe cheese?
Gail Vance Civille: Cheese. There’s either sheep cow or goat dairy. So there's milk and then there's milk fat. And then there are the fermented notes that are in the milk. So let's take cheddar cheese, which is a cow milk cheese that has milky notes, milk fat notes, nutty notes, skunky notes, sometimes fecal - or as we like to describe the technical term poop - and it actually belongs there. When you have farmhouse cheddar cheeses from England or Scotland or Wales or some places in Australia, you will have a fecal note that belongs there and then you also will have potentially some fruity notes as well. And salty, sweet, sour, and bitter. And then you have all the textures which is the hardness and the melt and the chewiness or cohesiveness and how fast it disappears in your mouth and whether or not it leaves a fatty film.
To evaluate a new or altered product, they gather a panel. Each panelist is handed a sample - in this case, pasta sauce. They'll taste the sauce and evaluate its flavor, texture, and smell. Then they rate each attribute on a scale. There's an entire book of terms to describe different foods. Gail wrote it.
How do these panelists identify how salty or sweet something is? During training, they're exposed to different levels of flavor. A 2 Salt is very mildly salty. While a 20 Salt is closer to ocean water, and so on. Panelists learn these until they're second nature.
Gail Vance Civille: The whole idea of being a great panelist is to never think about what you're doing. Just do it. Like a hockey goalie, just catch the puck. You're no longer mentally processing. You’re doing this - when I taste I literally feel like the sample goes into my mouth and then the sample tells me about itself.
How has this training affected sensory evaluators in their daily lives?
Gail Vance Civille: I'm not a normal consumer. I am not normal. I am very picky. If I'm in a restaurant where a lot of people are wearing fragrance I will not enjoy it. If I'm in a place that still allows smoking, and somebody is smoking nearby me I will not be having a good time. So it has jaded me or poisoned me or corrupted me - use whatever word you choose - to being really obsessively picky about what I'm eating, where I'm eating, and when I'm eating.
For better or worse, actually tasting what you eat may be a good thing.

[@zuko1569]

My food tasting skills : "This tastes good" "This tastes bad" _Yeah that's pretty much it._

[@nazarkhan5127]

Hahaha same here😂😂

[@husseinking1]

Me too XD

[@Ashley-rp7wd]

So simple and effective

[@jadesfairies]

Same but one of mine is “Mehh it’s ok I guess”

[@icy4053]

U again

[@seignee]

My cousin's wife has THIS job for pepsi. It's much harder than you think, they have to tell the difference between the taste of pepsi made with sugar and some other sweetener, levels of ratio of sweetener to acid, whether she can detect if there are chlorine notes, or maybe a slight rusty taste, so that they can know if the whole batch is contaminated or etc. To prepare for the tasting, you have to eat NOTHING 2 hours before the tasting. The is to ensure that your mouth has been "cleansed" or your mouth is at the optimal/normal state to detect other flavors with no other coinciding ones. You can't brush your teeth either, since that gives your mouth other flavors and toothpaste has a chemica that nulls sweet notes in your tongue which in turn affects the taste test. The quality of the RELEASED batch depends on your evaluation. _also she can tell whether you gave her pepsi or coke_

[@yoyoyoyo2580]

Girly Nerd wow

[@77koi95]

DAMN THATS CRAZY NOW U JUST RUINED THIS FOR MY FAT ASS

[@Limesssuu]

Dang it what a tricky wife u have, I always trick my papa by buying her pepsi and saying it was coca cola!

[@scudariazzz2031]

Pretty sure anyone can tell whether it is pepsi or coke

[@Limesssuu]

Mr. Doggie goddangit, to me pepsi and coke taste the same-

[@JuniorJuni070]

“From toilet paper to chocolate” So they eat toilet paper ? Lmao done

[@angieo_o9330]

I’m crying in a corner While i count my money I see you everywhere

[@JuniorJuni070]

Angie And Emma Gamed A true hustler is also everywhere and no where🤱🏽

[@Tata-iu3fy]

I’m crying in a corner While i count my money I am sure they wipe their asses with them. Or they just sit there and feel it all day.

[@JuniorJuni070]

Miss B I still find it a weird job boring I’d say Meh I guess they are necessary 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@Tata-iu3fy]

I’m crying in a corner While i count my money true

[@Lemon_Fanta]

It hurts seeing other people live out your dream

[@sensoryspectrum]

Give us a call if you're in the NJ area! :)

[@mithooladley]

My dream was to eat good food not food that tastes like a skunk!?

[@jameshamlin823]

@@sensoryspectrum Do you have any locations near Atlanta Ga?

[@gracieasmr6174]

My mom said I could become a food taster since I am a foodie

[@mawaaab]

Teacher: What do you wanna be when you grow up? Me:

[@Manideep6557]

Haha

[@mithooladley]

When I grow up I'll have a job where I eat food that tastes skunky and fecal

[@rowlet342]

Every 6 yr old ever

[@krisandrapereira2128]

I thought this was gonna be about the girls in INSIDER videos, eating stuff.

[@antoniadragongirl3099]

Krisandra Pereira same

[@exog8848]

Krisandra Pereira dem same

[@gachaverses]

NAH She's busy eating that OCEANCOCK or whatever, LUL

[@Imjustkayhaha]

Krisandra Pereira same

[@melonheaded]

i thought this was a video from Great Big Story lmao

[@lilbeaniecat]

Looks like something they would do

[@bebbeto2348]

Same!!

[@hussain3290]

Nothing but respect to such dedication

[@monalie6947]

Mm yes I would like to eat toilet paper

[@lilbeaniecat]

Tastes like fibery grass

[@katejones7096]

Oh my god I never want to eat cheddar cheese again 😳

[@gabriella8842]

i'm amazed with this, cause i never think that there's another taste in such a food

[@kyas7340]

I’d love this job!

[@bluevizcaino]

I’ve done consumer panels with them , they are pretty fun. You just need to sign up

[@erikafox9651]

I've done taste tests several times before. So fun. Sometimes weird

[@Its_ceeee]

So where’s the application link🤔

[@Taureanfitness]

A super taster and fact super sensitive and picky about everything especially my food I would love this as a job. I think this would be a great start while I'm polishing my writing so maybe I can get a job as a food critic which would be awesome. I've been obsessed with food since I was young I love to eat it I love to cook it and educated within medical field across several cleans and in fitness and nutrition for 25yrs.

[@gigachad2365]

One of The best job.

[@daniellereid7576]

I would luv a job to taste or try items improving or disapproving items they work smart not hard in life luv it !

[@zamesthakali8123]

I like it, how she keep blinking her eyes. I have a friend who also does the same with her eyes.

[@MotorCityPhoenix313]

So can she give us some good restaurant recommendations or not?

[@sensoryspectrum]

Yes, where do you live?

[@rowlet342]

@@sensoryspectrum lol I think it was meant as a joke

[@sensoryspectrum]

@@rowlet342 We still like to help when we can! :)

[@sparklegalor6223]

Where do I apply ? I’m highly experienced

[@Chase_77]

I did this in when I was in high school on the weekend got paid $ 25 took about a hour to do it

[@itsfreetosubscribe5905]

Caption: What it's like to be paid to taste food Me: heaven😇

[@Ghost-gm3jr]

It's Free to Subscribe $10 to $50 paid to taste food 🥘

[@hannahquintero4207]

So you're telling me that these people changed my Trix cereal??

[@user-ht8qs3tw2c]

very gooooooooooooooooooooood thanks

[@v.xien.]

"I'm not normal" me too sis, me too

[@mondaymotivator_]

Have they tried Tide Pods?

[@mondaymotivator_]

Justin Gatlin dude it’s a joke

[@sf6555]

Good one😂

[@avery6132]

This seems like a fun job

[@lawlietlawliet]

So I pretty much eat and get money? Lol.. sign me up 😂

[@perfectlyimperfect423]

Why are those people so old? It's a scientific fact that young people have a better sense of taste, that means that old people need more salt, sugar etc. to be satisfied with the taste. Wait that must be why sold food is so unhealthy!

[@bigira]

perfectly imperfect they get trained... you’re so dumb. Also, they don’t judge the healthiness of the product, the company does. They just taste it

[@perfectlyimperfect423]

Ward Zoubi I know they get trained, but it doesn't take 30 years for sure. And I never said they judge the healthiness of the food.

[@tashanguyen4563]

perfectly imperfect I would get it’s because quite a bit of children are picky and don’t like this, don’t like that, whereas adults aren’t as picky.

[@perfectlyimperfect423]

Pusheenicorn Nguyen Of course children aren't supposed to test food xD I was talking about 25-35 years old

[@bigira]

perfectly imperfect you never said that but on the other hand you’re blaming them for having unhealthy food..

[@kimjubell3628]

This is something else I never knew insider will do a video about this, where’s the food videos insider

[@shirley6067]

this is now my dream job

[@pelida77]

I totally get what grandma is saying here. I don't like people smoking while I'm eating

[@yutella616]

This is my dream job for now

[@alanalant9812]

Where did they buy those cups

[@dennisanthonyy]

anyone knows the name of the bgm they use?

[@delosreyesmarkevanp.3239]

The cheese includes also boomp

[@tis.kaitlyn]

Can you guys please do a video on Studio C. They are a HILARIOUS comedy group 😆😆😆 Seriously... you need to do a video on them

[@uhalipsbenny6268]

Happy,i would be happy.

[@julieeyerman]

need this job

[@alexandralim3381]

So cool

[@selissagonzales8001]

Did anyone else try to do this with the food they were eating

[@brandonlyniv]

Have they tried those new Tide Pods yellow flavor? Mmm yummy 😋

[@vtheteenagewitch]

I need this job

[@lisa5hot]

2:23 "Sometimes fecal or as we like to describe with the technical term.....poo" LOL its as technical as it gets

[@wxntersoldier]

I want to try this job

[@rasmushonkanen5425]

where can i sign up?

[@zainabali3544]

Well this is a job I would want to have now 😆😆

[@jemuel2315]

I guess these are the people responsible for the flavor of Tide Pods! 😅

[@v4mps0n92]

I wanna be one of These I love food and studying food

[@amelia2381]

This is my dream job ❤😂😂

[@classyfacemakeup]

Y'all hiring?! 😅😋 I'm interested

[@mahboo7504]

Never been so early!

[@miss.danger1762]

if i worked in this job since i was born i would be a billioner because i do it 24/7

[@shabnazbegum3398]

I need this job...

[@Livontheg0]

Was NOT expecting the word fecal to be in this video

[@bggzxzbggzxz3251]

earlayy!!!!

[@zerolove2844]

Expensive tongues! Mine is pretty average, In comparison 😅

[@babysantana9122]

woah 🤥

[@noisy99_]

What is an earthy flavor?

[@icanspelle6050]

The flavour of kraft mac and cheese most certainly changed havent had it since

[@xandyr427]

Fecal note?

[@marnegro8079]

This seems to be my suitable job

[@sgmoms]

Super

[@HobiBerry]

Yea nah. That kraft Mac n cheese was disgusting when they changed it. So many ppl complained they changed it back

[@Ryu-br4kt]

Dream job af

[@xixich7387]

So they get paid to eat while I have to pay to eat

[@catloveryoujustsawtheprofi8610]

YUM!

[@prettyalicorn1842]

"From toilet paper to chocolate" Meh: Does that actually taste good? :OOOO

[@shanellewarner6873]

This what I call Heaven on earth . I would love to have this job .

[@mithooladley]

Yeah I'd love to tell people "it tastes fecal"

[@civildiscourse400]

I just want to work for Insider Food

[@bbygirlmua]

This would be the best job. EVER.

[@stylebybling]

how can i get a job there?

[@annimaririismaa5131]

Ok..

[@skeepyfan6961]

How can I join there..... I only wanted to join so i can eat food and get paid at the same time..

[@beigehues]

This reminds me of Shokugeki no Souma, Erina the God Tongue

[@alsokooniiee4797]

Sign me up lady !

[@taranbasi1457]

I got my resume ready 😂

[@dxnnyprom]

where do i sign up? i eat for a living lol.

[@kirbygarcia3385]

Dream job

[@dishysoapss]

This will be my job

[@maddielapine6555]

Does this remind anybody else of Great Big Story videos?

[@CutieRingoJoy]

I wish that's my job

[@hopeworld.8339]

all?

[@punkressph1]

Oh I just like their job

[@alydiaflowers2940]

They didn’t do too good on hidden valley ranch🤷🏾‍♀️

[@maxmatete5996]

Wow

[@jameskim288]

I feel like I’ve missed a grand opportunity in my life. I have ridiculously sensitive nose in a way that I can smell things that most people can’t. They should really hire me lol

[@ZHR95]

nakiri?

[@xxdestroierxx8889]

nakiri erina in food wars be like:

[@devangib3968]

Early squad where are you at...??

[@xarikimo]

In soma anime. Nakiri have god tongues. She can taste and imaginate that flavor

[@kachosuffer7]

I'd lie about mostly not tasting anything so free money lmfao

[@dikkorulz2391]

no wonder my parents say that i eat all the tolet paper

[@BeXCreative]

Are that fuckjerry cups at 0:39?

[@honeyybun3134]

So...how did oatmeal cookies pass ?

[@kachosuffer7]

Mr.Krabs sees an opportunity

[@Diana-ou2eo]

They really get paid $78,000+ per year lmaooo sign me up

[@jas-gn3om]

my dream job

[@fuckingloser1189]

I can’t think of cheddar the same😵😵😔😔

[@KINGFlSHER]

Erina Nakiri 😄