Abstract
An herbaceous/grassy-like flavor has been reported by Chilean producers of Regina sweet cherry. There are no previous academic reports related to this flavor occurrence. Sweet cherries from five phenological stages were collected from six orchards with high herbaceous flavor incidence spanning Chilean production zones during the 2019/2020 season. Four experienced panelists tasted the fruit to identify the off-flavor incidence and intensity from four phenological stages, and the same cherries were analyzed for volatile compounds. Thirty-nine volatiles were identified and semi-quantified using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and GC-MS. The highest off-flavor incidence was found at the bright red (stage 3) and mahogany colors (stage 4). No single volatile explained the herbaceous flavor consistently among orchards. However, it appeared that the off-flavor was related to delayed ripening in cherries, with more C6 aldehydes and less esters. Furthermore, rainfall and the elevation of the orchard had a significant effect on the incidence of off-flavor. Preharvest practices that promote fruit ripening along with avoiding early harvests are recommended to reduce the incidence of herbaceous flavor in Regina.
Highlights
Sweet cherry is a fruit highly desired because of its health benefits and flavor
Regina sweet cherries were tested during the fruit development stages (Figure 1) in order to identify at which phenological stage the off-flavor occurs
The herbaceous flavor was strongly perceived at stages 3 and 4, while it decreased in both incidence and intensity at phenological stage 6
Summary
Sweet cherry is a fruit highly desired because of its health benefits and flavor. Its beneficial health effects have been associated to polysaccharides such as pectin, polyphenols and antioxidants in the fruit [1]. It is well-known that these constituents reduce oxidative stress and inflammation [2,3]. The cytoprotective effect of sweet cherries is a trending topic, which still requires clinical trials to fully understand the anti-cancer properties [4]. Consumer preference for sweet cherries can be related to quality characteristics such as size, color, firmness and flavor, all characteristics being valued by the sweet cherry industry [5].
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