2002 Strawberry Taste Tests

During the 2002 strawberry season, taste tests were conducted on 17 varieties and new selections. Berries were harvested twice from commercial growers in Southwestern Ontario. Berry appearance, flavor, and texture were ranked by 12 evaluators for the first test on July 3rd, and by nine evaluators for the second test during the following week.

In the first taste test (Table 1), 'L'Authentique Orléans', 'Mesabi', and 'St-Pierre' had the most favorable appearance and texture. 'Mesabi' also had the most favorable flavor, whereas 'L'Authentique Orléans' and 'St-Pierre' were considered to have only mediocre flavor. 'K93-20' and 'Sable' also had high flavor ratings, but both had low appearance ratings. 'L'Acadie' and 'Yamaska' had the least favorable appearance, flavor, and texture.

In the second taste test (Table 2), 'LSJ1', 'L'Authentique Orléans', and 'St-Pierre' had the most favorable appearance and texture. 'St-Pierre' also had a high flavor rating, whereas 'LSJ1' and 'L'Authentique Orléans' were considered to have only mediocre flavor. It is interesting to note that although 'Mesabi' had the most favorable characteristics in the first taste test, it had the least favorable appearance, flavor, and texture in the second test. 'Sable' and 'Yamaska' both had higher appearance ratings in the second test, compared to the first taste test. 'Mira' had the least favorable flavor, while 'L'Acadie' continued to have a low flavor rating.

¹ Appearance, flavor and texture rated on a 1 to 5 scale: 1 = strongly dislike, very unacceptable; 2 = dislike, unacceptable; 3 = ok, just acceptable; 4 =  like, acceptable; 5 = strongly like, very acceptable.

² NS, **, *** = not significant or significant at P<0.01 and P<0.001, respectively.

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