Sensory profile and acceptability of juices from mandarin varieties and hybrids

Fresh juices from mandarin varieties, from hybrids and from blends of these raw materials were evaluated by 100 consumers to determine acceptability and by 10 trained panellists to quantify sensory attributes. Trained panellists found the juice from Clemenules richer in both mandarin and fresh flavour (odour and taste) whereas Nova juice presented minimum scores for these attributes. These aspects obviously affected the evaluation of acceptability by consumers, who preferred the juice from Clemenules (a Clementine variety) either alone or blended in major proportions with less preferred varieties such as Marisol, Hernandina (Clementines), Ortanique or Nova (hybrids). Nova juice was rejected by most consumers, but accepted by a small group of them. These results are of great importance for the European citrus industry since Clemenules is the most abundant variety and will constitute the main source of raw material for processing plants.