New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science abstracts

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Short communication
Evaluation of fresh red bayberry (Myrica rubra) fruit acceptance

D. C. Joyce

School of Agronomy & Horticulture
The University of Queensland
Gatton, Q 4343 Australia
email: d.joyce@uq.edu.au

Abstract  A preliminary study was undertaken to gauge acceptance of fresh red bayberry (Myrica rubra) fruit from China by consumers not familiar with the crop. Fruit imported into Australia were assessed for appearance, flavour, and mouthfeel. Untrained panellists (n = 17) rated the fruit on a linear 9-point hedonic rating scale from 1 (dislike extremely) to 9 (like extremely), the midpoint being neither like nor dislike. The fruit were generally well accepted, gaining mean scores of 7.2, 6.9, and 6.7 for appearance, flavour, and mouthfeel, respectively. The panellists suggested that fresh red bayberry fruit were berry-like and, in particular, mulberry-like. The fruit was considered attractive and juicy, with an agreeable sugar/acid balance and an appealing unusual mouthfeel. These findings suggest that fresh red bayberry fruit may be acceptable to consumers in countries other than their native China.

Keywords consumers; Myrica rubra; red bayberry; taste

New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science, 2007, Vol. 35: 125–128
0014–0671/07/3501–0125      © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2007
H06101; Online publication date 4 April 2007. Received 8 November 2006; accepted 19 February 2007

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