Acceptance of pitahaya as an emerging product in the markets of the Central District, Honduras

Abstract

Pitahaya is a fruit that has been consumed for generations even before the arrival of the Spanish colonizers to the American continent. Recently, in Honduras, this fruit is being commercialized in the local markets of the Central District. The objective of this study was to gather information related to consumer acceptance, uses and benefits attributed to the fruit, aspects of its commercialization and market demand. For this purpose, semi-structured surveys were designed and applied to 11 traders. The survey showed that the fruit has been well accepted by customers, who consume it for its multiple benefits. Most of them are unfamiliar with the fruit, so organoleptic characteristics are related to the acceptance of consuming it mainly as fresh fruit. In the future, it is expected that the results of new research will contribute to enrich the knowledge related to the benefits, forms of utilization and sustainability of this food product.