Cherry quality refers to a set of attributes that evoke a sense of well-being when consumed. Desired characteristics include size, color, stem freshness, firmness, sweetness, and balanced acidity, as well as the absence of defects such as bruises, cuticular disorders (e.g., lizard skin), or internal fruit browning, which can cause bitterness when tasted. All these attributes vary between different varieties and even within the same fruit, depending on the ripening stage.
Fruit color is a crucial indicator of the ripening stage of cherries, directly affecting the most important quality parameters. In this context, firmness is a particularly important attribute because soft cherries are less attractive to consumers, have a shorter shelf life, and are more prone to diseases. Optimal firmness not only enhances market acceptance but also facilitates storage and transport, enabling producers to access distant markets and achieve better returns.
To address this challenge, a study was conducted over two seasons to evaluate how the ripening stage at harvest, determined by color, influences cherry quality. The study analyzed fruits at different ripening stages, considering colors 2 (red), 3 (mahogany red), 3.5 (typical mahogany color of Santina), and 4 (dark mahogany) in the Santina, Lapins, Kordia, and Regina varieties. Firmness, a key quality parameter, was measured using specialized electronic equipment (Firm Pro).
This approach allowed tracking the evolution of firmness throughout the ripening process, providing valuable insights for harvest management and the post-harvest potential of each variety.
Fruits were harvested in the early morning and transported in cooled containers to the INIA Quilamapu Fruit Quality Laboratory (Chillan, Ñuble), where they were quickly submerged in a cold bath containing water, 10% sodium hypochlorite (100 ppm), and Scholar 230 SC fungicide (230 g/L fludioxonil; 100 cc/hl) at a temperature of 5°C for approximately 2 minutes. The fruit was then selected and classified based on color using white illumination and a color guide chart as a reference...
Want to read the full article? Sign up for our free Cherry Times newsletter! This is the only way to receive each new article directly in your inbox and stay updated with high-quality advice and analysis. Don't miss this unique opportunity!
Sign up for the Cherry Times newsletter for free!
25 Oct 2024
In New Zealand, Central Otago meets most of the conditions, followed by Marlborough and perhaps Hawkes Bay and Canterbury. However, other important factors to consider are the distance from international and national markets and the possibility of extending the harvest season.
22 Oct 2025
Chile’s cherry industry keeps expanding with exports driven by China, but growers face critical threats: fruit cracking, unstable weather and billion-dollar losses. Producers and startups rely on integrated orchard strategies and biotech innovation to secure quality and competiti
08 Apr 2026
A Chilean study evaluates chemical agents and application timing to improve sweet cherry bud break. Results show impacts on uniformity, flowering, and fruit set, offering practical strategies to address reduced winter chill under climate change conditions.
08 Apr 2026
A study conducted in Cadriano, Bologna, investigates shading nets on Sweet Saretta cherry trees, showing improved plant water status, reduced vapor pressure deficit and enhanced physiological efficiency, with direct effects on fruit growth processes and overall quality.
