Empire World Trade has begun selling Opal apples grown in the UK.
The natural Golden Delicious-Topaz cross is yellow with a slight blush, and features a crisp juicy texture with a sweet aromatic flavour.
EWT persuaded its UK growers, who feared yellow apples were old fashioned, to plant the variety after sending them Opal apple trees as a gift at Christmas. The growers now have some 50,000 Opal trees across three plantations in Norfolk, Hampshire and Kent, having planted the first concept orchard in 2008.
And there are significant plans for further growth, with some 120,000 trees across 40ha expected in the next two years on 10 UK growers’ farms.
EWT believes the variety has real potential to revitalise the yellow apple category and replace imports, while for growers benefits include natural resistance to disease and significantly less bruising and damaging.
Opal will be on sale in UK stores from late October.
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