The US Apple Association’s Munch Madness competition has reached its crescendo, with Envy taking out the title.
The tournament-style event pits 16 different apple varieties against each other over the month of March, with American apple lovers voting for their favourite offering.
The win delivered double delight for New Zealand-bred Envy, which defended its crown from 2017.
“For the third year, Munch Madness provided consumers a fresh and creative opportunity to learn more about apples, all while connecting the roster of our top 16 US varieties by sales,” explained Tracy Grondine, director of consumer health and media relations at the US Apple Association. “Congrats to Envy for its second consecutive win.”
T&G Global was well represented in the competition, with three of its trademarked varieties Envy, Jazz and Pacific Rose, making their way into the field.
“We’re thrilled Envy has once again been chosen by US consumers as their favourite apple given American’s love of all things apples including apple pie,” said T&G Global’s executive general manager, pipfruit, Darren Drury. “We’re equally delighted Jazz made it to the semi-finals and that our Pacific Rose also made it through the earlier competition rounds.”
With the harvest for New Zealand-grown Envy getting underway later this month, the variety isn’t likely to slip consumers' minds in the near future. A growing production base in the US – tipped to reach 2m cartons by 2020 – should also ensure Envy remains a Munch Madness contender for years to come.
“We’re particularly proud of how well Envy is doing in the US and in other key overseas markets such as Thailand, China and Vietnam,” Drury explained.
“We’re continuing to increase global production of this beautifully sweet and crunchy premium apple to keep up with the growing demand. New-season Envy apples from New Zealand will soon be appearing in US stores so more people will be able to enjoy the apple that remains the Envy of others in America but also around the world.”
