ROCHESTER, NY – New York Apple Growers (NYAG) is greeting the new year with the launch of a new apple variety: RubyFrost®. With a rollout across participating retailers in the northeast and mid-Atlantic regions of the East Coast, NYAG is excited for the potential of this variety.
According to a press release, RubyFrost is being marketed as a seasonal wintertime apple available for a limited time. Developed by Cornell University, RubyFrost is prized for its vibrant color, excellent crisp texture, and delicate balance of sweet and tart flavors.
“We tested this apple this past January in select New York stores and the results were very positive,” shared Jeff Crist, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of NYAG. “In-store surveys revealed that consumers really liked the sweet and tart flavor and crisp texture of this apple.”
“Families who enjoy eating apple slices will find that ‘Rubyfrost’ not only tastes great, it does not brown quickly after slicing,” agreed Susan Brown, an apple breeder with Cornell’s New York State Agricultural Experiment Station. “It is great as a quick, healthy, enjoyable snack, great on a cheeseboard or fruit salad and also performs well in baking.”
In order to maximize sales and exposure for this new variety, NYAG will be supporting its retail partners with a variety of in-store demonstrations, POS materials with high graphic bins, online coupons, food blogger outreach, public relations and social media activities. NYAG has also launched a website dedicated to providing consumers with nutritional information, recipes and pairing ideas, as well as information about the growers responsible for bringing this new variety to market.
Together with SnapDragon™, RubyFrost has been in the works since 2011. As the trees mature, NYAG is expecting significant increases in harvest size beginning in 2016.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for more updates on the new varieties making an impact on the fresh produce industry today.
