Evaluation of sour cherry cultivars grown in Latvia for production of candied fruits.

Different sour cherry cultivars are grown in Latvia suitable both for fresh market and for processing. Fresh local sour cherry fruits are available for consumers only in July. Sour cherries are favourite fruits becaus e of pleasant taste, juicy flesh and attractive dark red color. F ruits are rich in natural antioxidants ‐ vitamins a nd polyphenols, but are low in calories. One of processing methods pres erving valuable nutrients in products in significan t quantities is drying. Dried cherry fruits or candied fruits can b e used as energetic delicacy and healthy goody. It is a great alternative for people liking sweets and caring for their health. A priority of dried fruits is their long keeping time, as well as their use in preparing other dishes.The aim of the study was to evaluate suitability of sou r cherry cultivars grown in Latvia for production of candied fruits. F ive sour cherry cultivars were chosen: ‘Bulatnikovs kaya’, ‘Orlica’, ‘Shokoladnica’, ‘Tamaris’ and ‘Zentenes’. To evaluate suitability of sour cherry cultivars f or drying, candied fruits and syrup, sensory estimation establ ishing the level of liking was performed and bioche mical parameters: content of soluble solids, total acids and phenolic compounds were determined. As a result of the study it was found that higher level of liking had candie d fruits and syrup made from the cultivar ‘Shokolad nica’, regardless of their higher acidity. On the other si de, the highest content of polyphenols was ascertai ned in candied fruits of the cultivar ‘Orlica’ and their by-produc t, while the highest content of soluble solids was found in candied fruits and syrup made from the cultivar ‘Bulatnikov skaya’.