On the Cover

May / June 2005

Illustration by Eric Zelz

Despite all the gadgets and gizmos in our high-tech world, there's still no real substitute for the human palate in taste testing. When food scientists like those at the University of Maine want to know if consumers will like new products under development, they conduct sensory evaluations.

That's where volunteer taste testers like Nick Houtman come in. Read about his experiences and the science behind new food product development in the story, "My Life as a Taste Tester."