Abstract
Grapes are globally cultivated yet flavor characterization of table cultivars is relatively limited. The present study comprehensively evaluated the physico-chemical indices, the primary metabolites, and the volatile aroma compounds of seven popular table grape cultivars in China over two consecutive years during 2022 and 2023. 'Huangjinmi' showed the largest berries in 2022; 'Bixiang Wuhe' were the smallest and sweetest in 2023. 61 volatile compounds were identified in these grape berries, with the terpenes and C(6) compounds being the most abundant in most cultivars. 'Ruidu Kemei' and 'Wuhe Cuibao' exhibited higher levels of terpenes, while 'Huangjinmi', 'Rubin Muscat', and 'Klimbamak' were dominated by C(6) compounds. Sensory analysis revealed that 'Huangjinmi' and 'Ruidu Kemei' were preferred for their balanced sweet-sour profile and crisp texture, while 'Bixiang Wuhe' and 'Wuhe Cuibao' were notable for their high sweetness and strong aroma. Results guide market-oriented selection of table grapes in China and across East Asia.