Ecuadorian honey types described by Kichwa community in Rio Chico, Pastaza province, Ecuador using Free-Choice Profiling

摘要: Abstract Pastaza is the largest and least populated province in Ecuador, with seven native indigenous nationalities. The Kichwas from Rio Chico community live near to capital city Puyo, are recognized for their knowledge on stingless honey bees. From 400 species of Neotropical Meliponini that make cerumen pots, almost 100 thrive Southern confer such biodiversity pot-honey. In this study sensory characteristics Ecuadorian false genuine honeys diverse entomological origin: Apis mellifera – light amber amber, Geotrigona leucogastra , Melipona grandis Scaptotrigona sp. ( S. ederi np Schwarz) were investigated Kichwa assessors (four female four male, aged 18–62 years old). panel was asked taste identify attributes (appearance, taste, smell, aroma, mouthfeel, other tactile sensations), score intensities 10 cm unstructured line scales anchored words weak strong, using Free-Choice Profile methodology Generalized Procrustes Analysis used data. first second dimensions accounted by 61.1% variance. descriptive evaluation, darker (amber A. ) separated (light dimension; whereas thicker false) discriminated thinner dimension. able evaluate differentiate types without previous training. Remarkably, two ladies immediately spit out honey, contrast an acceptance 18-honeys, where scored among preferred ones 58 participants First Congress Apiculture Meliponiculture Ecuador. Therefore, results suggest keep a legacy ancestral forest products as honey.