Gastrograph AI Blog Translating Flavor Across the World

In 1801, Guinness decided it was time to take their beer international. The master brewers came up with a new version of the classic recipe, made using more hops so the beer would be able to survive long voyages in warm climates. Though their goal was practical - make a beer that would still taste good after weeks at sea - luckily, the new beer was a hit. West Indies Porter, with its delicious caramel and chocolate taste, along with the distinct bitterness of classic Guinness, remains a popular beer today, and many people prefer it to normal draft Guinness.Preservatives, packaging, and travel times have all improved since 1801, meaning that CPG companies don't have the same constraints Guinness did. Now companies can make product decisions that prioritize the flavors their target demographics will enjoy.But how can you know what a new market wants?Historically, to get an idea of consumer preference, you'd have to conduct tests in all the different locations and sub-locations you wanted to launch in. Consumer tastes vary so much across demographics that, of course, you couldn't apply data from one group to draw conclusions about another. Until now.Because the Gastrograph AI platform uses models built on primary tasting data from consumers all over the world, we're able to translate flavor perception from one culture to another. We can reliably predict how different consumers will respond to a product - without even getting them to taste it.Launching a product in a new location is risky and expensive. Gastrograph AI removes that risk because we help companies find which flavor combinations will be successful with different demographics. All without anybody having to get on a plane.