Tag: taste

Close-up of ripe tomatoes in various shades of red, orange, and yellow.

UF/IFAS researchers creating an ‘Artificial Intelligence Connoisseur’


April 8, 2026

Can a computer “taste” a tomato or a blueberry? Well, not exactly, but it can tell scientists which volatiles in these fruits make them taste good, say University of Florida researchers. UF/IFAS breeder and geneticist Marcio Resende wants ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Health & Nutrition, UF/IFAS
Tags: #aiatuf, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Blueberries, Harry Klee, Horticultural Sciences, Marcio Resende, Patricio Munoz, Smell, Taste, Taste Panels, Tomatoes, UF Sensory Lab
Close-up of ripe red tomatoes with green stems.

An aromatic tomato could be looming – a la heirloom varieties, say UF scientists


April 8, 2026

You can scarcely find a tasty, heirloom tomato in the grocery store. But University of Florida scientists helped discover a way to enhance tomato smell and taste. Breeding efforts over the last half century have emphasized traits that are important ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture
Tags: Aroma, Biochemical Pathway, Denise Tieman, Flavor Compounds, Genetics, Harry Klee, Horticultural Sciences, Nitrogen, Nitrogenous Volatiles, Taste, Tomatoes
Close-up of ripe blueberries with some focus on a central berry with a pink spot.

UF study shows why ‘aromatic’ blueberries taste better


April 1, 2026

They may be called “aromatic” blueberries, but they don’t just smell nice -- they taste good. University of Florida scientists now know why: These fruits contain just the right genetic combination to produce the chemistry required for ... READ MORE

Category: UF/IFAS
Tags: Aroma, Charles Sims, Consumers, Flavor, Food Science And Human Nutrition, Horticultural Sciences, Patricio Munoz, Plant Breeding, Taste, Terpene, UF Sensory Laboratory, Volatiles
Hands holding a bunch of ripe strawberries with green leaves.

UF researchers find genes responsible for several flavor compounds in strawberries


April 1, 2026

In their quest to improve strawberry flavor, University of Florida scientists have found the genes behind several aromatic chemicals that enhance the fruit’s taste. These findings will help UF/IFAS researchers Vance Whitaker and Seonghee ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness
Tags: Aroma, Compounds, Consumers, Flavor, Genetics, Growers, Gulf Coast Research And Education Center, Plant Breeding, Seedlings, Strawberries, Taste, Vance Whitaker, Zhen Fan
Close-up of ripe and unripe strawberries with a white flower among green leaves.

Peak strawberry season means more Florida-grown, flavorful fruit at the market


March 26, 2026

We’re at the height of the Florida strawberry harvesting season – a time when the state’s growers are doing all they can to make sure consumers can choose from among the best of their favorite fruit at the market. “It has been an ... READ MORE

Category: UF/IFAS
Tags: Aroma, Best Practices, Breeding, Cultivars, Florida Strawberry Growers Association, Growers, Gulf Coast Research And Education Center, Horticultural Sciences, Kenneth Parker, Strawberries, Strawberry Season, Taste, UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County, Vance Whitaker, Wael Elwakil, Yield
A man speaks into a microphone in front of strawberry research posters at an outdoor event.

From 5,000 strawberries to DNA breakthrough: Doctoral grad sweetens the future of fruit


March 6, 2026

As we enter the height of Florida’s strawberry production season, many consumers crave the taste and aroma of the fruit. That’s part of what compels Mark Porter to try to enhance those qualities. For his doctoral dissertation, Porter ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Horticulture
Tags: Archive, Aroma, Consumers, DNA, DNA Test, Doctoral Dissertation, Flavor, Genome, Growers, Gulf Coast Research And Education Center, Mark Porter, Ph.D., Plant Breeding, Plant Breeding Ph.D. Program, Seonghee Lee, Sour, Strawberries, Strawberry Breeding, Sweet, Taste
Close up of finger lime fruit on gray table

Finger Limes: An HLB-Tolerant Prospect for Florida Growers


March 21, 2025

Finger limes appear as a promising choice to growers searching for alternative citrus crops thriving in Florida. The Australian Lime Improvement Program hosted the most recent Finger Lime Field Day to highlight ongoing research and market ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Crops, Farm Management, Fruits & Vegetables, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Citrus, Citrus Greening Disease, Citrus Research And Education Center, Finger Lime, Finger Limes, Florida Citrus, Florida Department Of Agriculture And Consumer Services, Food And Resource Economics, Food Trend, FRED, HLB, Horticultural Sciences, Huanglongbing, Manjul Dutt, Plant Breeding, Psreu, Taste, UF/IFAS PSREU

Consumers value domestically produced vanilla – but only when they know what they’re consuming, UF/IFAS research shows


March 5, 2025

UF/IFAS researchers are investigating the economic potential of growing vanilla in Florida with the aim of establishing an alternative – and potentially lucrative – crop to oranges. (more…) READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Crop, Economics, Extract, Food And Resource Economics Department, Horticultural Sciences Department, IFAS, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Jaclyn Kropp, Magagascar, Market Research, Megan Winslow, Oranges, Panel, Papua New Guinea, Research, Samples, Sensory Panel, Study, Synthetic Vanilla, Taste, Taste Test, UF, UF-IFAS, University Of Florida, Vanilla, Vanilla Beans
Vainas de la vainilla y su flor.

Consumers value domestically produced vanilla – but only when they know what they’re consuming, UF/IFAS research shows


March 5, 2025

UF/IFAS researchers are investigating the economic potential of growing vanilla in Florida with the aim of establishing an alternative – and potentially lucrative – crop to oranges. (more…) READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Crop, Economics, Extract, Food And Resource Economics Department, Horticultural Sciences Department, IFAS, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Jaclyn Kropp, Magagascar, Market Research, Megan Winslow, Oranges, Panel, Papua New Guinea, Research, Samples, Sensory Panel, Study, Synthetic Vanilla, Taste, Taste Test, UF, UF-IFAS, University Of Florida, Vanilla, Vanilla Beans

In the heart of Florida’s strawberry season, an expert explains why they’re so wonderful


March 7, 2022

When you think of February, you might dream of a Happy Valentine’s Day, roses and romance. If you live in central Florida, you might also want to buy the very best strawberries. Many local fields are rife with the red fruit. Wael Elwakil, ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, SFYL Hot Topic
Tags: Breeding, Economic Impact, Featured, Fruit And Vegetable Production, Gulf Coast Research And Education Center, Harvest, Hillsborough County, Special Topics, Strawberries, Strawberry Season, Taste, UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County, Valentine's Day, Wael Elwakil

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