The watermelon is the fruit with the favorite taste of summer, according to Catalans

Summer in Catalonia smells of the sea and, above all, of sweet fruit. But, what is the undisputed king of the season? According to the 1st edition of the "Thermometer of Taste" presented by Ametller Origen, the verdict is clear: watermelon (39%) is the fruit with the favorite taste of summer for Catalans.The study, based on a survey of 800 people from across the territory between Ametller Origen and Appinio, places this fruit as the quintessential summer icon. The podium is completed by melon (22.8%) and cherry (18.9%), which also consolidate as some of the most representative fruits of Catalonia, along with yellow peach.Despite the historical rivalry between watermelon and melon on summer tables, watermelon has managed to take first place thanks to its hydration and lightness. Furthermore, respondents highlight that watermelon transports them to moments of their childhood.Regarding the four Catalan provinces, watermelon is the preferred fruit throughout the territory. Tarragona is where it gets the highest support, with 42% of responses, followed by Barcelona (41.2%); in Girona, the choice reaches 38.5%, and in Lleida it is 34.5%. An average of 2.3 pieces of fruit per day Catalans consume an average of 2.3 pieces of fruit per day, a figure in line with the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), which advises eating between two and three pieces of fruit per day, as part of a diet that includes at least five daily servings of fruits and vegetables. The Ametller Origen study shows that men and women consume practically the same amount. By territory, Barcelona is the province with the highest consumption, while Girona registers the lowest. Furthermore, a clear trend is also observed: the older the respondents are, the more fruit they consume. Regarding consumption habits, 67% of respondents state that the best time to eat fruit is in the morning or at lunchtime. On the other hand, only 8% consider that the evening is the ideal time to consume it.The study also reveals that taste is an increasingly decisive factor. In fact, 90% of respondents say they would be willing to pay more for tastier fruit. When buying it, they also particularly value proximity and ripeness.Furthermore, 95% of participants recognize that visual appearance influences their purchasing decision, which shows that consumers are increasingly selective and demanding. Despite this, 81% admit that it is increasingly difficult for them to find fruit with the same taste they remember from childhood, a fact that reinforces the perception that regaining taste is one of the main demands of consumers today.The Taste is Ours The presentation of the I Taste Thermometer coincides with the launch of the new Ametller Origen brand, El Gust és Nostre . True to its constant evolution, the Penedès-based company is committed to a narrative focused on taste as a guarantor of product quality and excellence. Ametller Origen, which this year celebrates 25 years, builds its present and future model on taste as a backbone element that articulates all its activity, from the first seed to the table experience. A totally unique model that has made the company the preferred chain by consumers in the fruit and vegetable category in Spain, according to the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU). The launch is part of a new global purpose: “Empower the world to be guided by taste”. “Excellent taste is not a coincidence; it is the direct consequence of our way of doing things and that is what makes us unique,” explains Josep Ametller, CEO and co-founder of Ametller Origen.