Study: Peaches Preferred By Younger Consumers
September 21, 2015 According to a newly released University of Florida study, young consumers (ages 18 to 24) are more likely to buy peaches than older people.
Mercy Olmstead
Photo courtesy of UF/IFAS
Study results show people ages 51 to 68 are the least interested in buying peaches. Those of that age range who do buy peaches prefer sweet, melting-texture peaches. Although they did not study the reason older people don’t like peaches as much, UF/IFAS scientists think older consumers may have repeatedly bought poor-quality peaches in the past, triggering an interest in other fruits.
Overall, consumers want sweet, tasty peaches that melt in your mouth, said Mercy Olmstead, assistant professor in horticultural sciences and lead author of the study titled: “In Pursuit of the Perfect Peach.” Olmstead led an experiment in which 300 consumers took an online survey, then sampled peaches at two Florida farmers’ markets.
The study, which is published in the August issue of the journal HortScience, showed the “ideal peach” depended on combinations of fruit qualities.
Peaches labeled as “so sweet … no sugar was needed” were most likely be purchased, reflecting what previous UF/IFAS research has found about strawberries and blueberries. Furthermore, like the prior UF/IFAS research on blueberries, even though peaches are known to contain antioxidants, consumers buy them more for their taste than their nutritive value, the study showed.
Most consumers prefer melting peaches, but small segments also like crisp and firm fruit, the study showed.
Florida’s stone fruit breeding program has focused on non-melting texture peaches for fresh consumption, so the fruit can remain on the tree longer and develop better aroma and flavor without sacrificing firmness, Olmstead said. If they’re harvested while ripe, melting-texture peaches are more likely to deteriorate while being shipped. But this experiment showed consumers want melting texture in their peaches, a trait breeders may want to consider, she said.
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