본 연구에서는 사과의 '고품질'이라는 개념 설정과 품질을 계량화 할 수 있는 기본 기술 개발을 위하여 20대부터 50대까지의 성인남녀를 대상으로 내 외적 품질인자에 대한 소비자 기호도 및 인지도 조사를 실시하였다. 설문 분석 결과 사과는 대형할인마트나 재래시장에서 소포장이나 낱개 단위로 구입되고 있었으며, 젊은 층 보다는 높은 연령층에서 많이 소비되고 있었다. 이에 따라 다양한 형태의 소포장규격 정립과 젊은 층을 대상으로 한 사과소비 촉진 마케팅
Improving quality is a very important component of maintaining competitiveness of agricultural products. However, evaluation of 'high quality' indicates it is a very abstract concept and independent of some quality attributes, leading to differences in the perception of quality. Thus, there is a pressing need to objectively define 'high quality' and to develop basic technologies for its measurement, for application in the production, storage and distribution of competitive agricultural products. To objectively quantify apple quality, a survey was conducted on consumer preferences and awareness of quality attributes including color, taste, flavor and shape. The survey questionnaire targeted male and female adults (463 persons) ranging in age from 20 to 59 years. The questionnaire was based on purchases made at a wholesale market (50.1%) or a traditional market (18.8%). The majority of purchases were as small packets (62.0%) or as individual pieces (20.5%). Apples of moderate size (fist size, 60.5%) were preferred over small (4.3%) or large (32.6%) apples. The questionnaire provided consumer data on external quality attributes including color, shape and variety. Taste attributes were evaluated in relation to the balance between sour and sweet taste, and flavors peculiar to apples.