Stemilt Pinata apple box

Stemilt’s signature apple variety Piñata is back in season and is making waves in produce departments across the US and Canada, according to the group.

Stemilt said that SHAPE magazine’s callout of Piñata in its November print issue had created 'added consumer buzz', with the fruit featured as one of three new apple varieties worth snacking on in SHAPE’s “Eat Right” column.

The magazine touted its tropical flavour, and notes of pineapple and vanilla, as the reason to seek Piñata apples out this season.

“Piñata continues to win people over with its unique flavour profile and incredible eating qualities,” said Brianna Shales, Stemilt communications manager. “The feature in SHAPE is exciting, as is the growing distribution of this hit apple.

'Piñata apples were displayed in over 7,000 supermarkets in the US last season, and we expect this year to be even bigger for this leading new variety,' shale added.

Piñata apples are a cross between Golden Delicious and two heirloom varieties from Europe, Cox’s Orange Pippin and Duchess of Oldenburg.

Stemilt’s 2016 harvest of Piñata apples wrapped up in October and growing conditions led to an incredibly high quality crop, Shales added.

“It’s the best looking and best tasting crop of Piñata apples that we’ve ever had. Exceptional fruit quality, finish and sizing has set the stage for great retail promotions this winter, and the opportunity for the apple to continue to win consumers over.”