Sensory Evaluation of Selected Walnut Cultivars

A sensory evaluation study was performed at UC Davis to determine if taste differences could be detected among several English walnut (Juglans regia) cultivars. Differences were tested using the duo-trio method, in which 'Hartley' was compared to seven other cultivars. No differences were found when 'Hartley' was compared to 'Vina', 'Scharsch Franquette' and 'Mayette', however 'Chandler', 'Chico', 'Howard' and 'Sunland' were significantly different. Paired comparisons were then used to compare the four latter cultivars to 'Hartley' in terms of several taste characteristics. No differences in astringency and "walnut" flavor were detected, however 'Chandler' was judged to be sweeter, and 'Howard' less sweet than 'Hartley'. In comparison of sweetness and firmness among the four cultivars, 'Chandler' was found to be sweeter than 'Howard' and 'Chico' was found to be the firmest cultivar.