PHYSICAL AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THREE U.S. STRAWBERRY CULTIVARS GROWN IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST

Totem, Shuksan, and Puget Reliance are the three predominant strawberry cultivars in the U.S. Northwest. Fruit shape and size, volume, density, porosity, specific gravity, moisture content, water activity, color, firmness, pH value, titratable acid, and mineral content were determined. The three cultivars had significantly different physical and physicochemical properties (P < 0.05). Shuksan had the largest volume, and lowest density and specific gravity. The soluble solids and texture of Puget Reliance were the highest among the three cultivars. Totem had the highest ratio of soluble solids to total acids (SS/TA). Despite these differences, all three strawberry cultivars had attractive color, a high SS/TA ratio, and thus, good commercial qualities. These strawberry cultivars were also excellent sources of manganese, ranging from about 19% to 21% DRI (Dietary Reference Intake) manganese in 100 g fresh strawberries.