In Pulwama, apple cultivator grower Shabir Ahmad Bhat transitioned his orchard to a new variety, moving away from the traditional Delicious apples. This shift was motivated by the declining market value of the Delicious variety. "I had a traditional Delicious orchard. The rates of traditional apples have significantly come down over time. I wanted to try this new variety. I am satisfied with it. In only the second year of starting this new variety, I got a good profit," Bhat remarked, noting improvements in color and size with the new variety.
Delicious apples, characterized by their bright yellow-green skin with a rosy blush, have been a staple in Kashmir since the 1950s. However, the appeal of their color has waned, leading many growers to adopt the 'Italy' variety, a high-density yield type with a reddish hue but inferior taste and nutritional value. The shift is largely driven by market demand for visually appealing fruit, despite the traditional variety's superior taste. "Yes, there is a difference in taste. Our own 'Delicious' is far better than 'Italy' in taste. But in the market, a buyer judges a fruit based on its colour, not taste," Bhat explained.
Source: deccanherald.com