Favored Blueberry Fruit Attributes by Japanese Consumers: Preferences and Sensory Evaluation of Blueberry Taste and Texture

Abstract

Fruit sensory characteristics are crucial in terms of decision-making for fruit production and breeding. However, due to the relatively short consumption history of blueberries in the Japanese market, their sensory characteristics have yet to be characterized by Japanese consumers. Over three years, Japanese consumer panels evaluated preferences and sensory attributes of 34 blueberry cultivars such as rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium virgatum Aiton) and highbush blueberry (V. corymbosum L.), including both northern highbush blueberry and southern highbush blueberry. The preferences and sensory attributes were rated using the general labeled magnitude scale (gLMS) method. The consumer panels recognized variations in sensory attributes and expressed their preferences for taste and texture. Overall liking was strongly correlated with texture liking (r = 0.66), sweetness (r = 0.58), and flavor intensity (r = 0.42), but weakly with firmness (r = 0.22) and not correlated with sourness or a rough feeling. Additionally, significant interaction effects between perceived and ideal taste intensities on overall liking were found, with sourness perception having a more pronounced effect. The results also suggested potential differences in blueberry preference between Japanese and U.S. consumer panelists. Furthermore, sensory attributes were well correlated with corresponding instrumentally measured taste and texture traits, supporting the usefulness of biochemical and mechanical measurements for evaluating blueberry quality characteristics, particularly texture. This study revealed that blueberry fruit preference was largely determined by sweetness intensity and texture preference, with sourness preference also having a significant influence. There is potential to satisfy Japanese preferences, especially regarding texture. The findings provide valuable insights into Japanese consumer preferences for blueberries and offer a roadmap for consumer-oriented cultivar selection and breeding.