<p><strong>WENATCHEE, WA </strong>– Piñata apples are hitting grocery stores throughout the U.S. and Canada, marking the third season that Piñata apples have been ready for the taking. January mark's the start of the Stemilt Growers' exclusive apple variety. The 2012 crop is proving to be especially fruitful, according to Stemilt marketing director Roger Pepperl, with volume that is slightly up from last year, according to a press release. As of 2004, Stemilt has the exclusive rights to grow and market the Piñata variety in the US.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> With the Piñata season falling in line with the New Year, the apple is the perfect way to fulfill those health-minded resolutions and also a great item to boost sales for retailers. The fruit is a cross between two heirloom varieties - Cox’s Orange Pippin and Duchess of Oldenburg, both from Europe – and the Golden Delicious apple from the US. Piñata’s boast a high sugar, high acid flavor profile, tropical notes, and moist flesh and versatile use. Mr. Pepperl, comments, “This apple already has quite a fan following, and with favorable growing conditions producing a high-quality crop, we expect even more people to find and fall in love with Piñata this year.”</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>www.stemilt.com</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
