Exploring through CATA (Check-All-That-Apply) method the Italian consumers' perception towards off-season nectarine imported from Chile

The Chilean fresh nectarine industry is focused on proposing off-season fresh fruit on foreign markets. Chilean nectarines for European markets would require fruits that should be kept in cold chambers for up to 35 days, due to the transcontinental trip for reaching the market. Samples of eight nectarine genotypes harvested in Chile between end of December and January 20th, were sent to Bologna, Italy, for testing them in February. The batch included some traditional varieties and some yellow- and white-fleshed nectarines selected in the Chilean breeding program, for tolerance to long storage and transport. Test participants were requested to execute a CATA (Check-All-That-Apply) test on visual and eating attributes, expressing also an overall liking evaluation. At the same time a trained panel performed a descriptive analysis to compare consumer assessments with judges' evaluation. CATA results indicated that the most appreciated visual attributes were size, color, shape and lightness. As related to eating attributes, the most cited terms were positive flavor, sweetness and freshness. The white-fleshed nectarine 6B168 recorded both the highest frequency of citation of attributes and the highest hedonistic evaluation (7.03) described as aromatic, with positive flavor, soft, melting, juicy and sweet. Other varieties as Andesneccuatro' and 'Andesnecuno', recorded positive evaluations Consumers' evaluation through CATA resulted in agreement with trained panel judgments, indicating the suitability of this method for reaching a reliable sensory characterization of fresh nectarines.