2017 ASHS Annual Conference

In the United States, more than 2,500 apple cultivars (Malus x domestica Borkh.) are available. Apples are popular among consumers because of their ready availability in supermarkets and farmers markets, their flavor, nutrition, versatility on the menu and other attributes. Apples are naturally cholesterol free, very low in sodium and fat, a good source of fiber, vitamins and minerals and have less than 100 calories in a medium-sized fruit. In the northern Great Plains, many apple cultivars grow well and are a subject of expanding research. The NDSU Extension Service horticulture and nutrition programs conducted an online survey to determine apple preferences among consumers to help inform breeders in university research programs. The survey protocol was submitted to the university’s Institutional Review Board; upon approval, the 18-question online survey was disseminated using email listservs and social media (Facebook) through the Extension network in the United States to reach educators, specialists and consumer audiences using a snowball approach to survey administration. Responding to the survey were 686 people (88% female) from 39 states, and 57% were ages 41 to 64. Most respondents (64%) were home gardeners. The participants rated several attributes of apples on a 9-point scale (1=least important; 9=most important). Flavor (8.33), crispness (7.96) and firmness (7.92) were rated as the most important attributes used to select apples, followed by cultivar (6.62), price (5.84), color (5.63) and size (5.61). Half red, half green apples were the most popular type of apple among 63% of the respondents, followed by bright red (28%). When rating their preference for sweetness (1=sweet; 9=sour), the respondents indicated an average sweetness preference of 3.94. The respondents also indicated a preference for crisp apples; the average score was 8.36 on a 9-point scale (1=mushy; 9=crisp). Respondents commented that intended use (cooking vs. fresh eating) made a difference in their apple selection, along with recommendations from family and friends, absence of “off” flavors from long storage or coatings, apple size, aroma, keeping quality, presence of blemishes, and past experience with the apple variety. Country of origin was not a consideration for buying apples according to 76% of respondents. Of those who responded with concern about country of origin, many people commented that they preferred to purchase from U.S. farmers, especially locally grown. Pesticide use was cited as an issue of concern by some respondents.