Pretty in Pink!

Perhaps more than any other modern apple, Pink Lady® epitomizes the trend towards product marketing and branding in the sale of apples. Pink Lady® was one of the first apples to be marketed under a specific brand name rather than by its variety name. The variety is grown under license and then marketed through licensed resellers to the supermarkets. This tight control is intended to keep quality high as a premium product.

You may have sometimes seen another variety called Cripps Pink and noticed the similarity ... it is actually the same variety. Pink Lady® is a trademark, the actual variety name is Cripps Pink. Pink Lady brand logo in order to preserve the premium appeal of Pink Lady®, about 65% of the production which does not meet the standards required for Pink Lady® is sold as Cripps Pink instead. The distinction is primarily made on color intensity and the sugar/acid balance. Whilst this might at first appear to be a marketing ploy, it benefits consumers because it means that the variability of the quality of Pink Lady® is less than you might find in other varieties.

Pink Lady® requires a very long growing period and a hot climate and hence is only grown in the warmer apple-growing regions of South Africa, USA, southern Europe - and of course Australia. Strong sunlight in autumn is vital for the pink coloration to develop and growers may remove the top-most leaves of the trees to allow light to penetrate. Pink Lady® is a moderately vigorous tree and hangs on to its leaves well into winter. It also shares a characteristic found in some other apple varieties in that the quality of fruit in the early years of the tree is not good. These horticultural difficulties meant that Pink Lady® was initially unpopular with growers - until they realized the premium prices they could get for this unique pink apple.

Pink Lady® apples are elongated and have an asymmetrical shape. They have a crunchy texture and a tart taste with a sweet finish. The white flesh is juicy and crisp and offers a “fizz-like” burst of flavor.

This week's delivery also includes:

- Stem and Leaf Murcott mandarins

- Organic strawberry basket

- Green grapes

- Navel oranges from Booth Ranch (CA)

- Rainforest - Alliance certified bananas