The finite temperature chiral condensate for $2+1$ quark flavors is considered in the framework of the hadron resonance gas model. This requires some dynamical information, for which two models are employed: one based on the quark structure of hadrons combined with the Nambu–Jona-Lasinio approach to chiral symmetry breaking, and one originating from gauge/gravity duality. Using these insights, hadronic sigma terms are discussed in the context of recent first-principles results following from lattice QCD and chiral perturbation theory. For the condensate, in generic agreement with lattice data it is found that chiral symmetry restoration in the strange quark sector takes place at higher temperatures than in the light quark sector. The importance of this result for a recently proposed dynamical model of hadronic freeze-out in heavy ion collisions is outlined.

• Received 13 January 2013

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.87.105018