Examining the consumer view of refreshing perception, relevant fruits, vegetables, soft drinks, and beers, and consumer age and gender segmentations

Consumer perspective of refreshing perception is underexplored, despite it being an emotional attribute to describe foods, beverages, hygiene products, and household items. An online survey (N = 1518) was designed to collect consumer insight into the importance of refreshing, the definition and factors related to it, and the identification of refreshing fruits, vegetables, and drinks. Nearly all participants (99.8%) cited that they have had the need to consume a food or beverage to feel refreshed, and 76.3% cited that they need this at least once per day. The factors most associated with refreshing were thirst-quenching (84.1%), temperature (86.2%), and cooling taste (86.0%). Water (86.6%), watermelons (80.8%), and cucumbers (83.5%) were the beverages/foods most frequently specified as refreshing. A second survey (N = 1050) examined refreshing perception specifically related to beer consumption and associated flavor. Beer was rated highly refreshing by 75.5% of participants, affirming its refreshing reputation. Refreshing perceived from beer was most associated with cool temperature (95.4%), flavor of the beer (88.6%), lightened mood (87.1%), and thirst-quenching (49.0%). Beers with crisp/clean flavors (87.3%) and citrus flavors (35.7%–51.7%) were most frequently specified as refreshing. There were no gender differences in the definition of refreshing and associated thirst-quenching and cold, although age differences in defining beer refreshing were significant (p ≤ .05). There were significant gender and age differences in types of refreshing vegetables, soft drinks, beer flavors, and varieties. The study provided consumer insight into refreshing perception and the gained knowledge could be used in new product design.