The 4th Asian Sensory and Consumer Research Symposium (SenseAsia 2021) was held online on December 5-7. Scholars and enterprise personnel from different Asian countries attended the symposium to discuss issues about sensory and consumer science.

Dr. Zhao Lei, researcher of the Food and Agriculture Sub-Institute of CNIS, gave an speech themed "The pungency of Chinese pepper: Its perception and preference". She and her research team have engaged in this area for many years. They have studied laws of physics and psychology involved in the perceptive response of pepper, determined the quantity and quality of the attribute of sensation and set up standardized measuring methods.

Chinese pepper is a common and popular ingredient of Chinese cuisine, which fascinates generations of local people from north to south.

Zhao's report attracted many attendees for further discussion. Kannapon Lopetcharat, chair of the symposium, said that her report not only showcased the application of sensory science, but also indicated how the fundamental research on sensory would deepen knowledge of a product type, which becomes a impetus for market and has potential effect on national policies.

The symposium is a great opportunity for CNIS to demonstrate its research achievements and further promote international cooperation. It also promotes the application of scientific payoffs in relevant industry.