A new apple variety developed in the United States has debuted in South Africa. Farmers from the Western Cape have introduced the first harvest of Cosmic Crisp to the market.
Apple buyers in South Africa can now find the new variety grown directly in the Western Cape. The first South African crop of Cosmic Crisp is exclusively available in selected Checkers and Checkers Hyper stores nationwide, marking the local arrival of a variety that has quickly gained popularity in global markets.
Cosmic Crisp was created by Washington State University in the United States through a cross between the Enterprise and Honeycrisp varieties. After the first plantings in South Africa in 2022, farmers in Graaff-Reinet and Ceres, located in the Western Cape, were able to produce this first local harvest.
For apple producers in South Africa, the appearance of a new variety means more than just a change in the fruit department's assortment; it is another opportunity to respond to changing consumer taste preferences and diversify the country's established apple industry.
The unusual name of the variety is related to its appearance. Its dark red skin is covered with pale lenticels, or pores, which give the fruit a characteristic pattern resembling stars in the night sky.
However, what happens after the apple is cut is what sets Cosmic Crisp apart. This variety is known for its ability to resist browning while maintaining a crisp texture during storage. Because of this, it is suitable for a wide range of uses: from lunchboxes and ready-made salads to snacks, baking, cooking, and juicing.
According to Quentin Paladin, General Manager of Freshmark's fruit and vegetable procurement and distribution division at Checkers, this variety attracted the retail chain's attention after tasting it in the US. Paladin noted: 'Red and blush apples account for about 60% of our apple sales, making them a clear favorite among our customers.'
He added that Cosmic Crisp combines characteristics familiar to South African consumers, such as sweetness, juiciness, and crispness, along with the ability to stay fresh longer after being cut. This variety is part of Checkers' growing selection of exclusive fruit offerings, which also includes pink lemons, palm limes, Alizza fruit, and ONIX citrus.
Nevertheless, for the farmers producing Cosmic Crisp locally, the main news may be simpler: a fruit developed on the other side of the world is now grown and harvested in South Africa. The first plantings were made in 2022, and four years later, the first South African harvest reached consumers.