Consumer testing on local and new cultivar of peach in the roero area, Piedmont, Italy

This work presents the results of 3 consumer testings carried out in the Roero district (Piedmont - Cuneo province). The area is characterised by a traditional peach cultivation with new and local cultivars. The tests were conducted in 2002, 2003 and 2004, during a well known local event in Piedmont, Optima Roero. The sensory acceptance tests are part of a wider project to renew peach cultivation in the area. In fact the Roero is one of the most important areas for peach cultivation in Piedmont. However in recent years cultivation has been greatly reduced as grapewine production has increased. Special attention to the qualitative aspects of peach cultivation has always been important in this area, with preference for peach cultivars over nectarine cultivars. The fruit is grown commercially, but not intensively. This is a strong point of which the consumer should be aware. Old and new cultivars from the area were presented at the tastings in order to draw the consumer’s attention to the local product as well as to identify consumer preferences. During the three years of testing a total of 9 cultivars (3-4 per year) were considered, of which approximately half were old varieties. There were nearly 300 tasters. Elaboration of the data allowed us to draw some preliminary conclusions. However, it should be pointed out that the tasters were attending a fair and therefore were particularly sensitive towards traditional produce. The public preferred the old varieties compared to the standard ones. Peaches with a balanced taste were preferred to those with particularly high or low acidity.