Climate affects on fruit taste

[jcaldeira]

Which fruits taste better or worse in the tropics, compared to the subtropics?  It seems that citrus doesn't attain the sweetness in the tropics that it does in the subtropics.  Conversely, tropical papaya tends to excel in taste over the same variety grown in the subtropics.  Which other fruits are significantly affected by climate?

And what's going on in the fruit that causes this?

John

[siafu]

 Maybe figs?

 Figs are quite sensitive to moisture levels. Watery figs are not the best.

 How far into the tropics can figs be grown?
 

[MangoFang]

And JC - you're forgetting the semi-arid regions like mine that grow subtropicals,
with our low humidity and sandy soil.....it would be interesting if someone could
taste test each type of fruit, and preferably the same variety to see what the
differences are...a very interesting thought.....

It would have to be some globe-trotting fruit nut-
We need a volunteer!!!!!!!!!!!



Gary

[waldi1]

siafu,I have very good Figs at 13b,but no idea what type

[Mike T]

The taste of most fruit are influenced by climate. They always taste better in a climate close to what is natural for them.With citrus, it depends on the variety as to whether it tastes better from a cooler,warmer,drier or wetter climate or a summer or winter rainfall peak.Pomelo and grapefruit taste better from a warmer climate being sweeter and larger.Try a navel orange or stasuma if it survives grown in the tropics and they are exceptionally ordinary.Mandarins/tangerines seem to each have a climate range in which the fruit turns out the best and this is true of many fruits.Papayas are a great example of where those grown at the cooler end of the plant tolerances have fruit that doesn't compare favourably to those grown in the tropics.

[MangoFang]

Mike T - I would like to put my climate challenged mexican papaya next to one grown in the tropics.
At first I did not get good fruits, then I think I figured out the watering and fertilizing requirements and now
I get some pretty damn sweet ones....can't wait to grow and try your special maple-leafed variety.....(wink wink)

My latest ones have been fantastic....but then, maybe I'm prejudiced, but they are real tasty....

In general, though, I would agree with what you are saying - in their natural, native habitat they would excel.....

Gary

[jcaldeira]

 Maybe figs?

 Figs are quite sensitive to moisture levels. Watery figs are not the best.

 How far into the tropics can figs be grown?

I'm growing figs of an unknown variety in a humid tropical environment and have been disappointed by the bland taste of the fruit.  Don't know whether it is due to the climate or the variety.   I picked up some cuttings from a smuggler.

[fruitlovers]

 Maybe figs?

 Figs are quite sensitive to moisture levels. Watery figs are not the best.

 How far into the tropics can figs be grown?

I'm growing figs of an unknown variety in a humid tropical environment and have been disappointed by the bland taste of the fruit.  Don't know whether it is due to the climate or the variety.   I picked up some cuttings from a smuggler.

Figs can be grown far into the tropics. But there is a big difference between dry tropics and rainforest tropics. They do very well in first, like here in Kona, but taste rather watery in second, like here in Hilo.

[Mike T]

My friend at the beach on 16.50 latitude (2200mm/yr) grows brown turkeys and black genoa figs and they turn out big and delicious, just like those grown at 40 latitude in a mediterranean climate.You could have knocked me down with a feather when I saw his fig festooned trees.They were the only 2 varieties he could grow.

[BMc]

Blood and other colored citrus need higher chill or even frosts to get a good content of lucopene, so the ones of those varieties we grow here are usually bland.

[From the sea]

I know a guy down here in the keys that dumps ice over the roots of his oranges, he says it makes them better.

[jcaldeira]

It seems as if cold or drought stress increases the sugar content of some fruits.  My dry season figs are tastier than wet season figs.  The dry season is also when sugar cane (not a fruit) is harvested, because the sugar content is highest.

[fruitlovers]

It seems as if cold or drought stress increases the sugar content of some fruits.  My dry season figs are tastier than wet season figs.  The dry season is also when sugar cane (not a fruit) is harvested, because the sugar content is highest.

Does drought stress really increase sugar content or merely decrease water content, thereby increasing the proportion of sugar already contained?