SMALL FRUIT QUALITY AS AFFECTED BY POINT OF ORIGIN‐DISTANT VERSUS LOCAL¹

Abstract

Small fruits shipped into local markets from major production areas 800 to 2400 km distant were compared to small fruits grown within 25 km of this location. Fruits were evaluated for acceptability offlavor, texture, color, instrumental color (Hunter Color Diference Meter 'L', 'a', 'b', hue, and chroma), shear press jrmness, weight loss, dry matter, soluble solids, acidity, mineral content (Ca, Mg, Na, K, P), protein, and Vitamin C (strawberry only) after holding for 0, 2, or 4 days (strawberry); 0, 3, or 5 days (grape); or 0, 3, 5, or 7 days (blueberry) at 21 "C. Distant-grown small fruits were nutritionally comparable to those grown locally but generally inferior in overall sensory attributes, particularly taste. There were no real disadvantages observed that would detract from the marketing of these locally produced small h i t s .

A COMPARISON OF FRUIT OF HIGHBUSH AND RABBITEYE BLUEBERRY CULTIVARS1

“…Supplemental irrigatian was routinely applied when soil moisture was depleted below -20 k pascals. In 1986In , 1988In , and 1989, fruits from highbush and rabbiteye blueberries were sampled on the initial harvest date of each cultivar. Insufficient rabbiteye fruit was available in 1987 because of spring frost damage to flowers.…”

“…Raw product analyses have been reported elsewhere (Morris et al 1988). The percent soluble solids was measured with an Abbe refractometer (Model 10480, American Optical Corp.).…”

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In 1986In , 1988In and 1989, fmit from highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L., cvs Collins, Bluecrop, and Herbert) and rabbiteye blueberry (V. ashei Reade, cvs Climax, Tifblue, and Menditoo) grown at the same location were compared for size, raw product qualify, storage, and sensory attributes. Compared with rabbiteye blueberry fruit, fruit of highbush cvs were generally larger in size, volume, and surface area and higher in titratable acidity, higher Hunter color attributes of 'L ', 'a ' , 'b ', and chroma, protein, P, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Cu, B (dry wt.

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Comparison of Ascorbic Acid Content of Super‐market Versus Roadside Stand Produce

“…Furthermore, there is an increasing trend for consumers to purchase fruits and vegetables from roadside stand markets during the summer months because of the freshness factor. Because vitamin C content can be affected by many variables over which the consumer has no control (Shewfelt 1985;Pemn and Gaye 1986;Morris et al 1988) and because there have been very few studies concerned with roadside stand produce versus supermarket (Bushway et al 1986), it was the purpose of this research to determine if this freshness quality significantly affects the level of ascorbic acid in commodities known for their vitamin C concentration.…”