*2.4. Contextual Settings*

Three contextual settings were used in this research, including the traditional sensory booth as the control setting, and two VR settings achieved by VR headsets (Oculus VR, LLC., Menlo Park, CA, USA). The sensory booth was located at the RFH building, Lincoln University, Lincoln, New Zealand. Individual booth units were separated by a solid protection panel, and there was a worktop within each isolated booth unit for placing samples and tablets (Figure 1a,c). The booth temperature was set to 21 ◦C, and white-color fluorescent lights were used during the entire sensory evaluation process.

For sensory sessions associated with the two VR settings, they were carried out in an isolated focus room, which differed from the booth (Figure 1b). Four Oculus Go All-in-One VR Headsets (32 GB) with independent controllers were used for the generation of immersive VR environments. Both VR environments were 360-degree videos selected from a video, movie, and photo platform called VeeR VR, which was available within the VR headset itself (VeeR VR, San Francisco, CA, USA). VeeR VR is a premium VR entertainment platform with more than ten thousand high-quality videos, photos, and interactive experiences. The VR settings used for this research were selected by a focus group (*n* = 4) from a list of 14 preliminarily evaluated 360-degree videos (VeeR VR). The criterion for selecting the videos was based on the experienced pleasantness that participants had during the test in the focus group session. One pleasant and one unpleasant video were selected for further analysis. There were at least two instructors to help participants wear the VR headsets and place samples during the entire sensory session under the VR settings. Chocolate samples were served to participants after they were wearing the headsets and earphones. Participants were instructed to take the headsets off and start answering questions on the tablets when they finished the tasting. This process was repeated until the tasting of all three chocolate samples has been completed for each participant under each VR setting. *Foods* **2020**, *9*, x FOR PEER REVIEW 4 of 19 photos, and interactive experiences. The VR settings used for this research were selected by a focus group (*n* = 4) from a list of 14 preliminarily evaluated 360-degree videos (VeeR VR). The criterion for selecting the videos was based on the experienced pleasantness that participants had during the test in the focus group session. One pleasant and one unpleasant video were selected for further analysis. There were at least two instructors to help participants wear the VR headsets and place samples during the entire sensory session under the VR settings. Chocolate samples were served to participants after they were wearing the headsets and earphones. Participants were instructed to take the headsets off and start answering questions on the tablets when they finished the tasting. This

With regard to the VR environments, two 360-degree recorded videos (VeeR VR) that could elicit different feelings and emotional responses from participants were selected. The first VR environment was titled as "Pure relaxation in the luxurious apartments Vidamar resorts Algarve." As shown in Figure 1d1–d3, this video was a sightseeing tour in a 5-star hotel located in Guia, Portugal. It had a duration of 41 min along with relaxing music, which showed beautiful sceneries such as a large swimming pool and a peaceful beach. The second VR environment was titled "Elemental Live—Halloween" (Figure 1e1,e2), which had a duration of 54 min. It was a noisy live music concert, which was held on a cloudy day and was crowded with people. The first and second VR environments were represented by the labels positive VR (PVR) and negative VR (NVR) respectively for convenience, and B was used to represent traditional sensory booths as well. process was repeated until the tasting of all three chocolate samples has been completed for each participant under each VR setting. With regard to the VR environments, two 360-degree recorded videos (VeeR VR) that could elicit different feelings and emotional responses from participants were selected. The first VR environment was titled as "Pure relaxation in the luxurious apartments Vidamar resorts Algarve." As shown in Figure 1d1–d3, this video was a sightseeing tour in a 5-star hotel located in Guia, Portugal. It had a duration of 41 min along with relaxing music, which showed beautiful sceneries such as a large swimming pool and a peaceful beach. The second VR environment was titled "Elemental Live— Halloween" (Figure 1e1,e2), which had a duration of 54 min. It was a noisy live music concert, which was held on a cloudy day and was crowded with people. The first and second VR environments were represented by the labels positive VR (PVR) and negative VR (NVR) respectively for convenience, and B was used to represent traditional sensory booths as well.

**Figure 1.** Contextual settings for the sensory evaluation of chocolate products. (**a**) Booths set up; (**b**) Virtual reality (VR) set up; (**c**) Sensory booth setting; (**d**, **1**–**3**) Positive VR setting; (**e**, **1**–**2**) Negative VR setting. VR environments were obtained from the VeeR VR app (VeeR VR, San Francisco, CA, USA). **Figure 1.** Contextual settings for the sensory evaluation of chocolate products. (**a**) Booths set up; (**b**) Virtual reality (VR) set up; (**c**) Sensory booth setting; (**d**, **1**–**3**) Positive VR setting; (**e**, **1**–**2**) Negative VR setting. VR environments were obtained from the VeeR VR app (VeeR VR, San Francisco, CA, USA).
