The South African market sees the introduction of the Sassy apple, a variety developed in New Zealand, now grown in the Ceres Valley. This apple, known for its deep red hue and unique flavor profile, is available in limited quantities at select Pick n Pay locations.
Rebecca Fifield, a food technologist at Pick n Pay, notes the popularity of apples among consumers, with the retailer offering at least 11 major apple cultivars. "Top red apples are our biggest seller, but it's always great introducing something new and we can't wait for customers to taste the Sassy apple," she states. The Sassy apple is described as having a bold sweetness and a distinct zing, complemented by a superior crunch.
Currently, the supply of Sassy apples is limited due to the orchard's young age, but the expectation is for increased volumes as the trees mature. "The orchard is very young, and the supplier wasn't expecting to get much fruit this year, but the trees surprised everyone. We were offered the apples, and we snapped them up because we've wanted to introduce the Sassy variety to customers for a long time. The volumes will grow yearly as the trees mature and more plantings are done," Fifield explains.
This week, a small quantity of Sassy apples will be available at four Pick n Pay stores: Constantia and Plattekloof in Cape Town, and On Nicol and Douglasdale in Johannesburg. In-store tastings are scheduled for Saturday to mark the occasion.
Source: PicknPay Investor
