*2.2. Sample Selection*

As a preliminary test, a focused group of four trained panellists evaluated five different brands of energy drinks ((Red Bull, Red Bull GmbH, Salzburg, Austria), (Monster, Monster Beverage Corporation, Corona, CA, USA), (Mother, Monster Beverage Corporation, Corona, CA, USA), (V Guarana, Frucor, Auckland, New Zealand), and (Rockstar, Rockstar, Inc., Las Vegas, NV, USA)) for taste and flavour acceptability. After discussion in a focus group *(N* = 4) and the descriptive analysis of the focus group results, two energy drinks with the highest and the lowest acceptability scores were selected to delineate the difference between the products. These liking differences were used for polarizing the facial emotions that consumers might express during the tasting The Rockstar energy drink manufactured by Rockstar, Inc, The United States (Energy drink A) (*ingredients*: carbonated water, sucrose, glucose, citric acid, taurine, natural and artificial flavours, sodium citrate and caffeine, benzoic acid, caramel colour, sorbic acid, L-cartinine, inositol, niacinamide, calcium pantothenate, milk thistle extract, gingko, biloba leaf extract, guarana seed extract, panax. ginseng root extract, riboflavin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, cyanocobalamin) and V energy drink produced at Frucor, New Zealand (Energy drink B) (*ingredients*: carbonated water, sugar, acidity regulator (citric acid and sodium citrate), taurine, guarana extract (0.12%), colour (caramel), glucuronolactone, caffeine, inositol, vitamins (niacin (B3), pantothenic acid, B6, riboflabin B2, (B12), flavours and contains wheat derivatives) were selected for the experiment.
