Annual variation in sensory characteristics of seventeen apple cultivars

Abstract

Sensory characteristics of 17 apple cultivars commonly grown in Finland were compared over three harvest years (2009)(2010)(2011). Descriptive analysis with a trained panel (n = 11-14) comprised 17 attributes rated from 0 ('not at all') to 10 ('very'): four appearance (green, red, area of red colour, skin waxiness), three odour (intense, grassy, fruity), five texture (hard, crispy, mealy, juicy, tough peel), and five flavour (intense, sour, sweet, astringent, diverse) attributes. Ratedintensities differed between the harvest years but their magnitude and direction of change varied according to the cultivar. Odour and flavour ratings tended to be higher in 2009 than in 2010 and 2011. The summer 2009 was fairly normal, while summer 2010 was hot and dry, and summer 2011 hot and humid. These climate may explain some of the differences between the first and the two subsequent years. Late season cultivars tended to be relatively stable against annual effects.Key words: apple, cultivar, descriptive analysis, sensory evaluation, harvest year IntroductionThe cultivation of apples (Malus domestica Borkh) is increasing in Northern Europe, although the climate and high costs restrict production (Tahvonen 2007, Lehtonen 2015. In Finland, apple cultivation is important for rural economy. The annual crop has doubled since late 1990s, being now around 5 million kg (LUKE 2015a). Domestic apples are well liked and appreciated, because they are perceived as natural, fresh and clean, and have a low content of toxic residues (Malkki 2007, Seppä 2014.The grouping of domestic apple cultivars as summer, autumn and winter, or early, mid and late season cultivars, respectively, is based on the degree day (DD5), cumulative base temperature over 5 °C, requirements for harvest maturity (Tahvonen 2007, Kaukoranta et al. 2010. Early season cultivars are important in Finnish tradition, while late season cultivars are commercially more important, as they usually have longer storage life. Seppä et al. (2013a) showed that some late season cultivars maintain eating quality beyond the end of the harvest year even without controlled atmosphere storage.The global warming is already affecting plant phenology and cultivation, but effects differ depending on the plant and geographical area (Kaukoranta et al. 2010, Sugiura et al. 2013, Lehtonen 2015. With increasing level of DD5, the limit of commercial apple cultivation is moving northwards and the trend is estimated to continue (Kaukoranta et al. 2010, Finnish Meteorological Institute 2014. Domestic late season cultivars are likely to benefit the most. Currently, the level of DD5 reached in most years in southern Finland is between 1300 and 1400, but may be as high as 1600. The effects of climate change on harvest quality are hard to estimate, as the influence of non-climatic factors, such as horticultural and technological improvements can be substantial (Sugiura et al. 2013). For example, rootstock, training system and orchard density affect the availability of light and consequently, the rate of...

Crop and Livestock Diversity Cultivating Gastronomic Potential, Illustrated by Sensory Profiles of Landraces

“…() as “an amalgamation of influences that include climate, landscape (slope, exposure, and the biological and physical environment), soil, and geology.” Also, the sensory profile can vary due to harvest/slaughter time and storage period (Elgar, Watkins, Murray, & Gunson, ; Horsted, Henning, & Hermansen, ). Furthermore, there is a seasonal effect, for example, Bunning, Kendall, Stone, Stonaker, and Stushnoff () concluded that differences among lettuce cultivars have larger impact than growing season on sensory profiles, Lynch, Koppel, and Reid () concluded that seasonal differences have a larger impact on black walnut cultivars than cultivar on sensory profiles, and Seppä, Tahvonen, and Tuorila () concluded that even though harvest year have effect on the apples sensory profiles, the effect varies due to the variety. In this study, we do not provide an overview of the interacting influence of weather conditions and handling from field to fork impact on the sensory characteristics.…”

Evaluation of Finnish apple cultivars (Malus domestica Borkh.)

“…A short growing season and insufficient summer heat combined with unfavorable winter conditions are the main indicators that limit the cultivation of high-quality apple cultivars in the south-west of Finland and in the central zone of Russia (Kaukoranta et al 2010, Krasova et al 2013. According to Seppä et al 2016 during the growing season the average air temperature for many years in Helsinki is 13.8 °C, while in the Orel region it is 15.4 °C (by 1.6 °C more) the amount of precipitation for this period is 309 and 312 mm, respectively.…”

“…'Petteri' had a consistently sweet fruit taste, while 'Samo', 'Make' and 'Vuokko' have a good sweet and sour taste. Seppä et al (2016) reported about a consistent taste of late-ripening fruits under various annual climatic conditions. For ex.…”