title: Age and gender differences in the influence of extrinsic product information on acceptability for RTD green tea beverages.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The introduction of ready-to-drink (RTD) green tea beverage has allowed diverse consumers to consume green teas and related products. Green tea that has been traditionally consumed for its delicate flavor characteristics is also widely consumed for its recognition as a healthy product. Because it is reported that age difference exists in consideration of health-related information, the objective of the study was to investigate how sensory and non-sensory factors, in particular health-related information, price and packaging, would affect the flavor acceptability of green tea beverages, depending on consumers' age and gender.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Regardless of the product information, old consumers preferred products that provided an indication of health beneficial effect. On the other hand, young consumers tended to be influenced by extrinsic product information such as packaging, brand/manufacturer and/or price, though these consumers were not so much influenced by health beneficial information as were the old consumers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of the study implied that the influence of non-sensory information such as health beneficial information in flavor liking differed depending mostly on consumers' age, and little on gender, for RTD green tea beverages.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Engineering, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 120-750, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ye-Won
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Engineering, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 120-750, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Soh Min
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Engineering, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 120-750, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kwang-Ok
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001628:Beverages / Q000191:economics; D028241:Camellia sinensis; D002648:Child; D003258:Consumer Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D005515:Food Labeling; D018857:Food Packaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009753:Nutritive Value; D012677:Sensation; D012737:Sex Factors; D013649:Taste; D013662:Tea / Q000191:economics; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D013662:Tea
keywords: RTD green tea beverages; age and gender difference; consumer acceptability; expectation in health improvement; extrinsic product information