Left to right: Envy, an ENZA variety, is in field trials in New Zealand, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States; Ariane was developed in France from crosses of old varieties including Florina, Prima, and Golden Delicious; Evelina, a red sport of Pinova, was discovered in Germany; Honeycrunch has the same production challenges as Honeycrisp in the United States: low packouts due to soft scald, bitter pit, and poor color; Junami (a.k.a. Milwa or Diwa) is reported to be a long-storing apple.
More than 30 club apple varieties are being grown around the world. The success of a new variety will depend on its distinctiveness, consistent quality, and the efforts of those growing, packing, and marketing it.
While some argue that new club varieties will cannibalize shelf space of existing varieties, some varieties on the market need to be retired. Consumer reaction and demand will help dictate how many new apple varieties the market will bear. Following are some of the managed varieties available:
Ambrosia: A chance seedling discovered in Canada. U.S. rights were granted to McDougall and Sons in Washington, which is in partnership with Columbia Marketing International (CMI). U.S. production is limited to 500 acres.
Ariane: A scab-resistant selection from France that is being marketed under the Naturianes brand. It is of complex pedigree.
Ariwa: A Swiss cross of Golden Delicious by a Swiss selection (A849-5). Scab and mildew resistant.
Autento (Delcoros): A hybrid of Delgollune and Cox’s Orange Pippin from the Delbard Nursery in France.
Cameo: An open release, this chance seedling was discovered in Washington State and once promoted by Dole Fruit Company. It is now promoted by the Cameo Apple Marketing Association as American Cameo. Two highly colored sports have been discovered: Dudek and Cauflight.
Choupette (Dalinette): A scab-resistant variety promoted by Ligonniere nursery in France.
Delblush: See Tentation.
Diwa: See Junami.
Enchanted (Western Dawn): This hybrid of Lady Williams and Golden Delicious hybrid from Australia is a sister to Pink Lady. The cross was made in 1976, and the variety received its U.S. patent in 2008. Perfection Fresh has exclusive marketing rights in Australia.
Envy: This bicolored hybrid of Royal Gala and Braeburn was created by HortResearch and is being managed by ENZA.
Evelina: A sport of Pinova marketed in Europe.
Galmac: This as yet nontrademarked variety from Switzerland is a hybrid of Jerseymac and Gala.
Greenstar (Nicogreen): This green apple is a hybrid of Delbarestival and Granny Smith released by Better3Fruit in Belgium. It is managed by Greenstar Kanzi Europe and was patented in the United States in 2003.
Jazz (Scifresh): Jazz is a hybrid of Braeburn and Royal Gala developed in New Zealand. It is grown in New Zealand and Washington, and is marketed by ENZA in New Zealand and Oppenheimer in North America. It is not available to New York growers. A sport of Jazz has recently been patented.
Juliet (Co-op 43): This scab-resistant apple is from the Purdue-Rutgers-Illinois (PRI) cooperative breeding program. Escande Nurseries in France holds the exclusive rights in Europe and is marketing it as an organic apple.
Junami (Milwa, Diwa): This hybrid of a selection of Idared and Maigold crossed with Elstar is from a Swiss breeding program and is marketed as Diwa in Switzerland and Junami in Europe and internationally. It was patented in the United States in 2009 as Milwa.
Honeycrunch: Honeycrisp is marketed in Europe as Honeycrunch. The Pomanjou group in France holds the exclusive rights in Europe.
Kanzi: A hybrid of Gala and Braeburn released by Better3Fruit in Belgium and commercialized by Greenstar Kanzi Europe. The cooperatives VOG and VIP hold marketing rights in Italy. It was patented in the United States in 2006.
Kiku (Brak Fuji): A sport of Fuji from Japan managed by Kiku Ltd. based in Italy. Golden Parsi da rosa is a new clone of Golden Delicious being tested for commercialization by Kiku.
Lady Alice: A chance seedling of unknown parentage discovered in Washington State by Zirkle Fruit Company and named after Bill Zirkle’s mother. Rainier Fruit Company in Washington is the exclusive marketer.
Mairac (La Flamboyante): A Swiss hybrid of Gala and Maigold released in 2002.
Milwa: See Junami.
Modi (Civg 198): A scab-resistant apple developed by the Consorzio Italiano Vivaisti (CIV) in Italy and commercialized by Modi Europa with production limited to 50,000 tons. It is tolerant of powdery mildew and aphids in Europe and has been patented in the United States.
Opal: A hybrid of Golden Delicious and Topaz from the Czech Republic that is scab resistant and tolerant of mildew in Europe. It has been patented in the United States, and Varieties International in Oregon has the U.S. license. In Europe, it is managed by a European partnership called Fruit-Select.
Pacific Rose: A New Zealand release produced in New Zealand and Washington. It is marketed by ENZA in New Zealand and Oppenheimer in North America.
Piñata (formerly Pinova, Corail, and Sonata): Released by the Pilnitz-Dresden apple breeding program in Germany in 1986, and patented in the United States in 2000. Stemilt Growers in Washington State holds the exclusive U.S. license, along with Dennis Courtier in Minnesota. A sport called Evelina is marketed in Europe.
Pink Lady (Cripps Pink): Bred in Western Australia, this is one of the first and best-known club varieties. Many sports are being patented.
PremA17 (T17): A Prevar selection licensed exclusively to a consortium called T Seventeen Ltd., which represents nine New Zealand companies.
PremA153: This hybrid of Royal Gala and Braeburn from Prevar has been licensed exclusively to Johnny Appleseed Holdings, Ltd., (Yummy brand) and will be released under a trademarked name.
PremA197: A Prevar selection granted to a consortium called T 197.
Red Prince: It was discovered in Germany and has the same parentage as Jonagold. Grown in Canada but marketed in the United States exclusively by the Riveridge Produce Company in Michigan.
Sonya (Nevson): A typy cross of Royal Gala and Delicious developed by the Nevis Fruit Company in New Zealand that is being grown in New Zealand, Europe, and South and North America. In North America, it is produced exclusively by Otago International LLC in Washington and marketed by Sage Fruit Company, Rainier Fruit Company, and L&M Companies.
SweeTango (MN 1914, Minneiska): This hybrid of Honeycrisp and Zestar from the University of Minnesota was patented in the United States in 2008 and licensed exclusively to the Next Big Thing, a cooperative with 45 members in the United States and Canada.
Tentation (Delblush): A hybrid of Golden Delicious and Grifer (Blushing Golden) developed by Delbard Nursery in France. Sixteen New Zealand growers have exclusive rights in New Zealand with a production goal of around 250,000 boxes.
Tunda: A high-acid variety developed by Better3Fruit from a cross of Delbarestivale and Liberty.
Wellant (CPRO #47): This variety from the Centre for Plant Breeding and Reproduction Research (CPRO) in the Netherlands is a hybrid of a CPRO selection and Elise.
Western Dawn: See Enchanted.
Zari: A hybrid of Elstar and Delcorf (Delbarestivale) bred in Belgium by Better3Fruit. Rights in Germany, France, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland were assigned to Belgian nurseries Carolus C. and René Nicolai.
Zonga: A hybrid of Alkmene and Delbarestivale from Better3Fruit.
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