Sensory Properties and Consumer Acceptance of Cantaloupe Melon Cultivars

This research measured the sensory characteristics and consumer acceptance of 15 cultivars of cantaloupe. Eleven trained panelists assessed melons by descriptive analysis. Northern California consumers (n = 171) evaluated the melons for overall, appearance, flavor, and texture liking on the 9-point hedonic scale and the adequacy of ripeness, sweetness, and firmness on a 5-point just-about-right (JAR) scale. Twenty-two sensory attributes differed significantly among the melons. CaldeoDF, Caldeo, Globstar, RML0499, and Caribbean Gold showed higher firmness, crunchiness, and denser textures. Impac presented higher watermelon flavor, bitterness, and sourness. Caldeo, CaldeoDF, Globstar, Magellan, and Sol Real had higher overall intensity, sweetness and oversweet flavor, longer-lasting aftertaste, and salivating mouthfeel. Consumers liked Magellan, Acclaim, and Primo most, and Aphrodite and Impac least, and the harvesting period was not critical to consumer acceptance. Sweet, oversweet flavor, and intense orange and richness of color were drivers of overall liking. Preference clustering identified three groups of consumers with distinct sensory preferences and favorite cultivars. JAR data showed Acclaim, Magellan, Primo, and Saguaro were just right for ripeness and so was Acclaim for firmness. All melons were judged not sweet enough. Growers and distributors could use the information from this research to improve the quality and appeal of the cantaloupe melon offering in the United States. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: We profiled the sensory attributes and measured consumer liking of 15 cantaloupe cultivars. Our findings should benefit producers and consumers equally as they identified those cultivars with the most promising sensory traits and they uncovered preference segments among a population of Northern California consumers as well as drivers of liking for those segments.