Zestar apple introduced
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Many Americans now think Honeycrisp when they think of apples. The variety was released in 1991 by University of Minnesota researchers and became a booming success. It was such a success that the Association of University Technology Managers named it one of the top 25 innovations that changed the world.
But this season, Jim Luby and other university horticulturalists are introducing their newest creation, Zestar!.
Zestar! packs a tarter taste with just a hint of brown sugar. Luby describes his latest breed as “fresh apple cider with a bit more zip.” With an early blooming season and two and a half month storage life, Zestar! is also great for cooking.
Like many of the university’s apple varieties, Zestar! has a cold hardiness that makes it perfect for colder climates. Any apple-grower in northern states knows that their state’s climate is nothing like the Southern Hemisphere; cold, harsh winters are brutal on fruit farmers. That’s why Luby engineered Zestar! to withstand the elements and retain its flavor.
The estimated United States apple crop in 2005 was about 234 million bushels of apples. That is about 79 apples per person.
So the next time you bite into an apple, whether it is the sweet and juicy Honeycrisp or the tangy Zestar!, be confident to know that Luby and his team are always working to find that next tough and tasty apple for you to enjoy.
If you would like to interview Luby, contact Patty Mattern, University of Minnesota, (612) 624-2801.
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