For the first time, Jazz, the trademarked apple variety originally grown in New Zealand and subsequently selectively released internationally, will be available on supermarket shelves for 12 months of the year.
UK growers who are members of Worldwide Fruit (WWF) closed the gap this autumn, as the first orchards have come on stream after a massive planting programme started last year, which accounted for 210,000 trees at a cost of £5 million.
There are 15 growers involved, across Suffolk, Hereford and Kent, where harvesting began this week. “Fruit will be stored until mid-November,” said Steve Maxwell, marketing director. “We expect about 450 tonnes, which should last eight weeks. The fruit will be sold loose and pre-packed by Marks & Spencer, Tesco, Morrisons and Waitrose. The retail price has yet to be decided.”
Crops have escaped hail damage, which badly hit some growers this year. The quality of the Braeburn/Gala cross is reported to be “as good as anything grown”.
And to launch the season, WWF invited Masterchef presenter Gregg Wallace, pictured, to taste the fruit on Paul Mansfield’s farm in Kent on September 26.
Wallace said: “Jazz apples have a unique flavour and texture. The Jazz farmers have both bravery and vision, and to see the orchards full of fruit is about as good as it gets.”
Maxwell added that he still expects Jazz to be sold as a club apple, alongside French fruit from the Loire and Rhone Valleys.
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