US: Ambrosia™ apples rolled out nationally in record numbers
With a name that means “Food of the Gods,” Ambrosia apples live up to this name by offering a naturally sweet, honeyed flavour and crisp texture that consistently performs well in taste tests. Despite being a newer upstart in the apple cart, Ambrosia is quickly on its way to becoming a Top 10 apple variety. Supported by strong consumer demand, Ambrosia orchards in Washington State are likely to double or even triple production over the next decade.
“The growth potential for Ambrosia is outstanding,” said Steve Lutz, Vice President of Marketing for CMI and former CEO for the Washington State Apple Commission. “It’s such an excellent apple that is continuing to build a loyal consumer following as more people discover just how good it tastes.”
Lutz also notes that the rise of Ambrosia is consistent with a new wave of modern shoppers who are seeking distinct flavour profiles among the dozens of apple varieties found at an average grocery store. In the past, many of the legacy apples that have traditionally dominated the Top 10 have landed there for reasons secondary to taste, primarily red colour or other cosmetic factors.
Since colour is not a primary factor, Ambrosia apples can be harvested at the peak of maturity based on starch and sugar levels. This ensures that Ambrosia will delight consumers while meeting the highest quality standards. Perfect for snacking, baking or enjoying with wine and cheese, these apples are incredibly versatile with their creamy flesh and sweet, honey-like flavour.
Unlike most other modern types of apples, which were purposefully cultivated by crossing two varieties, Ambrosia originated the natural way, as a chance seedling in an orchard. The taste, texture and colour proved to be both high-quality and unique, and orchard’s pickers showed exceptional enthusiasm for it, so the seedling was cultivated.
The process of delivering a new apple to the market is lengthy, requiring about five to seven years to yield a robust crop. Now, after about ten years of cultivation here in the United States, Ambrosia apples are available at leading supermarkets nationwide. Thanks to the careful tending of the McDougall family, who has been growing fruit in the Wenatchee Valley of Washington State for more than a century, Ambrosia apples are available to discerning apple-lovers nationwide.
For more information:
Katharine Grove
CMI
Tel: +1 509-888-3427
or +1 509-885-0444
Fax: +1 509-888-3418
Email: Katharineg@cmiapples.com
www.cmiapples.com