Apple eaters choose first by looks, then by smell, say the Swiss

Nyon, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – A government study to determine what causes us to choose or reject apples shows that it depends on what kind of apple-eater you are: big apple fans select their fruit based on looks, but smaller apple eaters need to smell the apple and will buy it only if convinced that it smells good. The second group tends to reject darker apple varieties, which they associate with over-ripeness, unless they can smell or taste them. They also tend to reject apples that do not resemble varieties they already know.

The study was done by the Changins-Wädenswil ACW federal research station to help ensure that the money investing in developing new varieties will be covered by success in shops. The apple industry typically needs several years to research and bring to market new varieties.

The good news for less pretty apples is that consumers are ready to change their opinions if an apple’s appearance doesn’t first attract them, but they are able to smell and taste it and find they like the flavour.

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