Articles
Consumer preference modelling for organic round tomatoes in Switzerland according to fruit quality and texture
Article number
1286_33
Pages
235 – 244
Language
English
Abstract
Most studies show that the production system has few effect on tomato quality.
For now, the main factor dictating the quality differences of tomatoes is the genetic heritage, in other words the cultivar.
Today, the production of quality tomatoes is a key issue for Switzerland as consumers expect the product to be in line with their expectations and preferences.
A trial taking into account the diversification of the round-type tomato was carried out in the greenhouses of Agroscope Conthey.
A range of 12 cultivars of round tomatoes of various breeders were chosen.
These so-called old, current and future cultivars were cultivated in soil under greenhouse according to the guidelines of organic farming.
The 12 tomato cultivars were submitted to a panel of more than 500 consumers attending the Tomato and Terroir Festival (Geneva, CH, 2016). Consumers were asked to express their preferences after tasting the tomatoes.
The 12 cultivars could thus be classified according to their degree of appreciation.
Among the most appreciated: Paronset, Estiva, Cindel and Pilu, among the least appreciated: Fiorentino and especially Natyssa. The tomatoes were analysed to determine the SSC, TA, background colour but also the texture of the skin and flesh.
The preferred cultivars had the highest SSC and TA values and at the same time the lowest skin and flesh texture values.
The low colour index of Natyssa, Admiro and Octydia appears to have been detrimental to consumer judgments.
For now, the main factor dictating the quality differences of tomatoes is the genetic heritage, in other words the cultivar.
Today, the production of quality tomatoes is a key issue for Switzerland as consumers expect the product to be in line with their expectations and preferences.
A trial taking into account the diversification of the round-type tomato was carried out in the greenhouses of Agroscope Conthey.
A range of 12 cultivars of round tomatoes of various breeders were chosen.
These so-called old, current and future cultivars were cultivated in soil under greenhouse according to the guidelines of organic farming.
The 12 tomato cultivars were submitted to a panel of more than 500 consumers attending the Tomato and Terroir Festival (Geneva, CH, 2016). Consumers were asked to express their preferences after tasting the tomatoes.
The 12 cultivars could thus be classified according to their degree of appreciation.
Among the most appreciated: Paronset, Estiva, Cindel and Pilu, among the least appreciated: Fiorentino and especially Natyssa. The tomatoes were analysed to determine the SSC, TA, background colour but also the texture of the skin and flesh.
The preferred cultivars had the highest SSC and TA values and at the same time the lowest skin and flesh texture values.
The low colour index of Natyssa, Admiro and Octydia appears to have been detrimental to consumer judgments.
Authors
C. Camps, Y. Fleury, C. Gilli
Keywords
tomato cultivars, skin texture, flesh texture, chemometric modelling
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