A Swiss-bred, red-fleshed apple will be available on the UK market in two years.
Developed by Next Fruit Generation (NFG), the variety, which as yet is un-named, is the result of many years of cross-breeding by a Swiss scientist.
NFG’s Joop van Doorn told FPJ: “Twelve years ago, the scientist began to cross a small-sized East German apple, which was inedible due to its bitter taste, with traditional, very sweet types found in central Europe. At first, he was looking at the gardening sector, trying to breed a variety that could be grown using a reduced amount of chemicals.”
The initial aims have moved on as the crossing took shape, and it became clear that the properties that created the fruit’s red flesh also gave it much higher levels of antioxidants, which can reduce cardiovascular disease risk. NFG has appointed the prestigious University of Wageningen to further establish the exceptional health benefits of these red-fleshed apples. This, combined with the good taste that has eluded all other breeders looking to create a red-fleshed apple, saw both Marks & Spencer and Sainsbury’s visit Switzerland to see trial orchards.
Theresa Huxley, a fruit technologist at Sainsbury’s, said she is extremely excited about the prospects for the fruit, which Sainsbury’s will be the first to sell. “It is consistent in colour, which is the first thing, but it also has an appealing sweet-sharp taste, a little like Pink Lady, and is both crisp and juicy,” she said.
Neil Gibson, who switched from being Sainsbury’s apple buyer at the end of last week, and is now citrus buyer, as well as continuing his role as stonefruit buyer, described the variety as having a “sherbert fizz”.
Around 500 trees were planted this winter in the Netherlands and Switzerland, and the first, small volumes will come through in the 2009-10 season, said van Doorn. “This apple is a true revolution, and we firmly believe it will be the next superfruit in the UK,” he said. “Its fresh and tasty bite, its amazing appearance and health credentials make it a breakthrough for the industry. It introduces a combination of fun and health that appeals to the expectations of any type of consumer.”
