The Superior Taste Award is an annual non-competitive prize open to any consumer food or drink product, subject to payment of an entry fee of Euro 750-1650.^[1]

It is organised since 2005 by the International Taste Institute,^[2] who specialised in the sensory evaluation and certification of consumer food and drink products.

The Superior Taste Award certification recognizes products of high gustatory quality.^[3]

Products are blind tested by a panel of professional chefs and sommeliers who score the products out of 100, on each of the 5 International Hedonic Sensory Analysis criteria: first impression, vision, olfaction, taste, texture (food) or final sensation (drinks).

Products are tested following a monadic methodology, on their own merits, not competing against other products. Products reaching a global score above 70% are granted the Superior Taste Award.

Eligibility

All consumer food and drink products from a wide range of categories are eligible to participate in the testing. Products are submitted by companies of all sizes, from small manufacturers to large international companies.^[4]

Awards

Products scoring above 70% are granted respectively the following Superior Taste Awards:

3 Stars: Exceptional products, scoring above 90%

2 Stars: Remarkable products, scoring between 80% and 90%

1 Star: Notable products, scoring between 70% and 80%

The International Taste Institute recognizes producers that demonstrate consistent remarkable product quality over several years with the following prestige awards:

The Absolute Taste Award:  it is granted to products that have been awarded 3 stars 20 times over a period of 25 years.

The Diamond Taste Award: it is granted to products that have been awarded 3 stars 7 times over a period of 10 years.

The Crystal Taste Award: it is granted to products that have been awarded 3 stars 3 years in a row

Award Ceremony

Superior Taste Award Ceremony is held annually in Brussels.

References