New apple making its way into New Jersey markets
First bred in 1988 from Zestar! and Honeycrisp apples at the University of Minnesota, the sweet yet tart apple with a crisp, crunchy bite is harvested in late August and early September and available in stores until mid-November. An apple perfect for fresh eating, pies and cider, it’s now on the shelves in Whole Foods, ShopRite, Walmart, Stop & Shop, Fairway Market and Kings Food Market locations in New Jersey.
The apple’s short season plays a role in its popularity, according to Bill Yanko, Whole Foods associate produce coordinator for the Northeast region; it’s only available mid-September through mid-November. "It’s the first-round draft pick," Yanko said.
It’s unclear whether SweeTango is the newest variety on the market, since growers are always trying new varieties, according to the US Apple Association. But it’s definitely making waves in the apple community. "I have never seen anything like this," said Lee Peters, vice president of sales and marketing for Fowler Farms in Wolcott, NY, which distributes SweeTango® Minneiska apples on the East Coast. "And there are a lot of good apples out there."
Although SweeTango isn’t grown commercially in New Jersey – the variety is licensed to Next Big Thing growers, a cooperative with more than 40 growers in five states, including New York.
Source: northjersey.com
