The first English-grown Smitten apples have gone on sale at a select number of supermarkets operated by Morrisons.
Smitten, a trademarked variety first discovered in New Zealand and only grown by a small, dedicated grower base, has been sold exclusively in the UK at Morrisons for the past two years.
The variety was developed using conventional breeding methods by crossing Royal Gala and Braeburn with two English varieties, Fiesta and Falstaff.
According to its developers, the fruit combines those four varieties' excellent characteristics to produce a "fantastic" eating experience and, as a result, exemplifies the best of British and New Zealand apples.
"Through a selected group of UK growers, and based on the success of the past two seasons of supply from New Zealand growers, Morrisons has been working closely in partnership with growers to introduce Smitten apples to English orchards," said Glenn Bewley, apple buyer at Morrisons.
"This year marks a UK first with a small but good-quality crop that will be available for sale in a limited number of Morrisons stores."
He added: "As the orchards develop, we hope to offer customers this great-tasting variety for a longer period of the year from locally grown sources."
No comments yet