Sensory attributes of native stingless bee honey (Plebeia molesta Puls, 1869): first approaches to the characterization and preference of local consumers

The sensory quality of a food is related to the consumer’s ethno-social and idiosyncratic conditions.  In this study, honeys from three different environments in Chaco region Cordoba (Argentina) were described qualitatively quantitatively by specialized evaluators rural peasant. Honeys with wide diversity attributes evidenced. samples Salinas Coast characterized high fluidity, those Serrano Forest quantity crystals, Plain greatest persistence taste. population used some shared descriptors for similar geographical origin. Most consumers distinguished honey A. mellifera, Plebeia nov. sp. P. molesta, which also preferred ones. We analyzed results relation Socio-ecological Theory Maximization concluded that components molesta allow their differentiation according environment origin other melliferous insects, together farmers´ factors model selection product.