Sensory profiling of carrots from northern latitudes

Abstract Carrot varieties grown in southern and northern Norway ranging from 58 ° 10′ N to 69 ° 39′N, a distance of 1200km, during two years were evaluated by means of sensory analyses. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed three factors explaining 73% the first year and the second year 82% of the total. Principal Component 1 could be interpreted as a temperature related factor grouping the samples related to their growth site along the direction north to south, with attributes describing colour and flavour intensity being characteristic for the southern locations, and juiciness, acidic taste, sweet taste and whiteness being characteristic for the northern latitudes. The genetic variation, mainly related to the variation in sugar and texture related attributes, was explained at a rate of 14–16% by PC 2 and 9–10% by PC 3. Characteristic northern and southern profiles could be drawn on the basis of 17 sensory attributes as evaluated by a trained sensory panel.