The RubyFrost apple variety, which is grown in New York State and available exclusively from Crunch Time Apple Growers, is aiming to expand its retail distribution across the US in 2016.
This year's RubyFrost season will launch in mid-January and is expected to last for a 'limited time', according to Crunch Time.
After a successful release in 2015, production of RubyFrost apples has grown significantly, allowing Crunch Time Apple Growers to expand marketing efforts to include coupons, high graphic bags, bins and in-store demos.
“We were really pleased with the results of this past season and the positive feedback we received from consumers who embraced this new wintertime apple,” said Mark Russell, apple grower and marketing committee chair. “RubyFrost is known for its crisp texture combined with the well-balanced taste of sweet and tart flavours making this a great apple for snacking as well as baking.
Crunch Time Apple Growers teamed up with Cornell University, a world leader in apple breeding since the late 1890’s to bring the RubyFrost and SnapDragon apple varieties to market. Both apple varieties are grown exclusively in New York State and the royalties support Cornell’s apple-breeding programme.
Formed in 2010, Crunch Time Apple Growers is a grower-owned company united with the mission of introducing exclusive, premium flavour apples to the marketplace. The organisation is comprised of 145 grower members in the state of New York, representing about 60 per cent of the state’s apple production.
