Kern, Martin 1; Rutz, Stefanie 1; Stallmann, Kirsten 2; Enneking, Ulrich 2; Dierend, Werner 2
1) SAM ASAP Sensory and Marketing Germany
2) University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück, Germany
Changes in nutritional behaviour as well as globalization of food trade and apple cultivation led to a strong reduction of varietal diversity among apples. Thus, 75% of the annual harvest in the EU consists of 5 different apple varieties, only. Since this led to a very limited variety in taste the following study investigated 51 different apple varieties. The aim was to contribute to the diversification of the apple market and to find out the market potential with respect to the consumer’s acceptance of the different apples. In comparison to prevalent apple breeding strategies, this fundamental new approach in apple breeding involves consumers at an early stage of the product innovation process. This was supported by the close cooperation of a breeder’s initiative, a university of applied sciences and a sensory research agency.
In a first step, 11 trained consumers of a descriptive panel profiled 51 different apple varieties by means of quantitative descriptive analyses (QDA) in order to describe these samples with different attributes in various sensory dimensions (appearance, taste, mouthfeel, aftertaste, etc.).
Based on these results, 22 preferably different varieties were chosen for the consumer test, the second step. Within this consumer test, about 300 consumers tasted 6 out of these 22 selected apples. Attention was particularly given to an increased participation of children and youngsters in order to account for future demands concerning apple diversity.
This survey, combining the objective data of the panel and the hedonic evaluation of the consumers, shows the most important criteria which are relevant for preferences among different apple varieties. This knowledge provides a sound scientific basis for selecting new apple breeds in line with consumer preferences. An additional benefit shall be the revival of a traditional apple region.
