Washington State University to study cider apple qualities and buyer preferences.

"The cider industry will gain a better understanding of the impact of growing environment, location and harvest method on fruit quality - and whether or not these differences are valued by the cider maker or detectable by consumers,” said Carol Miles, horticulture professor at WSU Mount Vernon and lead on the study.

Researchers will evaluate several cider apple varieties from four Washington orchards for environmental differences. The apples will be harvested with a mechanical picker to determine if that impacts the "juice quality," according to a WSU spokesperson. The apples also will be tested for tannin levels.

A human tasting panel and electronic tongue technology will be used in the research.

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