Game for improving vegetable liking

Abstract

A game for developing vegetable likings, which game has different levels comprising: providing a kit comprising (a) one or more individual game packages for each level of the game, wherein the game packages comprise different vegetable-flavored candies or vegetable-flavored snacks (b) either (i) a label on each package containing a code that is linked to the game or (ii) a game card with each package presenting the game, wherein the game comprises a plurality of questions with a plurality of choices of answers and (c) instructions to play the game.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A gamified method to develop a vegetable liking, which method comprises:
 (i) evaluating a sensory response of a participant at a first sensory visit;   (ii) providing the participant with a kit for playing a game, which has multiple (e.g., two or more) levels, wherein the kit comprises (a) one or more individual game packages for each level of the game, wherein the game packages comprise different vegetable-flavored candies or vegetable-flavored snacks, wherein the candies or snacks are flavored with at least one vegetable or a combination of two or more vegetables, (b) either (i′) a label on each package containing a code that is linked to a website, wherein the website delivers and scores a plurality of questions with a plurality of choices of answers for the game and/or (ii′) a game card with each package for playing the game, wherein the game card presents a plurality of questions with a plurality of choices of answers and (c) instructions to play the game;   (iii) having the participant play the game and recording and scoring the answers provided by the participant;   (iv) evaluating a sensory response of the participant at a next sensory visit;   (v) comparing and analyzing the responses from steps (i), (iii), and (iv);   (vi) altering a vegetable flavor in the vegetable-flavored candies or vegetable-flavored snacks based on the analysis of step (v) to develop the vegetable liking; and   (vii) repeating the steps (ii)-(vi) as necessary until the vegetable liking has been developed.   
     
     
         2 . The gamified method of  claim 1 , wherein the sensory response is evaluated by:
 i) providing two or more vegetable samples to the participant, wherein the vegetable samples are chopped or pureed vegetables; and   ii) obtaining from the participant sensory ratings such as bitterness, sweetness, likings, dislikings, and identity of the vegetable in the vegetable-flavored candies or snacks.   
     
     
         3 . The gamified method of  claim 1 , wherein the vegetable flavor in the vegetable-flavored candies or vegetable-flavored snacks is altered by:
 (a) adjusting an amount of a vegetable, (b) adding one or more spices or herbs, (c) changing a vegetable, a combination of two or more vegetables, or the relative proportions of the two or more vegetables in the combination, and/or (d) adjusting an amount of a non-vegetable ingredient, such as a juice or a syrup liked by the participant.   
     
     
         4 . The gamified method of  claim 1 , wherein the vegetable-flavored candies or vegetable-flavored snacks comprise a vegetable. 
     
     
         5 . The gamified method of  claim 4 , wherein the vegetable is in a chopped form, a pureed form, a powdered form, or a flavor concentrated form. 
     
     
         6 . The gamified method of  claim 4 , wherein the vegetable-flavored candies are sweet candies or gelatin-based candies (gummies), optionally of different shapes, sizes, and colors. 
     
     
         7 . The gamified method of  claim 6 , wherein the vegetable-flavored candies are gummies. 
     
     
         8 . The gamified method of  claim 4 , wherein the vegetable-flavored snacks are puffs, chips or crackers, optionally of different shapes, sizes, and colors. 
     
     
         9 . The gamified method of  claim 4 , wherein the vegetable is a leafy vegetable or a non-leafy vegetable. 
     
     
         10 . The gamified method of  claim 9 , wherein the vegetable is selected from kale, spinach, broccoli, asparagus, carrot, green pea, green bean, bell pepper, cucumber, basil, cabbage, collard greens, brussels sprouts, chard, bok choy, beets, artichoke, celery, okra, leeks, zucchini, lettuce, and squash. 
     
     
         11 . The gamified method of  claim 1 , wherein the game is played for about 7 days to about 21 days at least once daily or at least five times over six days. 
     
     
         12 . The gamified method of  claim 1 , wherein the game comprises at least six levels. 
     
     
         13 . The gamified method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of questions are related to a variety and a target flavor familiarization and flavor identification of the vegetables. 
     
     
         14 . A kit for playing a multi-level game for developing a vegetable liking, which kit comprises (a) one or more individual game packages for each level of the game, wherein the game packages comprise different vegetable-flavored candies or vegetable-flavored snacks, wherein the candies or snacks are flavored with at least one vegetable or a combination of two or more vegetables, (b) either (i′) a label on each package containing a code that is linked to a website, wherein the website delivers and scores a plurality of questions with a plurality of choices of answers for the game and/or (ii′) a game card with each package for playing the game, wherein the game card presents a plurality of questions with a plurality of choices of answers and (c) instructions to play the game. 
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein the vegetable-flavored candies or snacks comprise a vegetable. 
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 15 , wherein the vegetable is in a chopped form, a pureed form, a powdered form, or a flavor concentrated form. 
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 15 , wherein the vegetable-flavored candies are sweet candies or gelatin-based candies (gummies), optionally of different shapes, sizes, and colors. 
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 17 , wherein the vegetable-flavored candies are gummies. 
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 15 , wherein the vegetable-flavored snacks are puffs, chips or crackers, optionally of different shapes, sizes, and colors. 
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 16 , wherein the vegetable is a leafy vegetable or a non-leafy vegetable selected from kale, spinach, broccoli, asparagus, carrot, green pea, green bean, bell pepper, cucumber, basil, cabbage, collard greens, brussels sprouts, chard, bok choy, beets, artichoke, celery, okra, leeks, zucchini, lettuce, and squash.