Independent international jury recognises premium blueberry variety for exceptional eating quality
Abril, the premium blueberry variety developed by Bloom Fresh, has been awarded 2 stars at the 2026 Superior Taste Award. The recognition is based on rigorous blind sensory evaluation by an independent international jury of chefs and sommeliers organised by the International Taste Institute.
The breeder said the recognition represents more than an award for a single variety. “It provides independent validation of our broader vision for the future of blueberries: a category where flavour, consistency and consumer satisfaction become key drivers of value creation across the entire supply chain,” the company said.
As global blueberry production continues to increase, Bloom Fresh predicts that premium proprietary varieties such as Abril will play an increasingly important role in helping growers, marketers and retailers to differentiate their offer, build consumer loyalty and drive sustainable category growth.
“At Bloom Fresh we believe taste is the most powerful driver of consumer satisfaction and repeat purchase,” said CEO Josep Estiarte. “This recognition validates something we have believed for a long time: consumers ultimately come back for products they genuinely enjoy eating.
“As the blueberry category continues to mature globally, flavour will increasingly become one of the most important drivers of differentiation. Awards such as this demonstrate the value that breeding can bring, not only to consumers, but also to growers, marketers and retailers seeking to create long-term category growth through exceptional eating experiences.”
Abril is part of the company’s growing portfolio of premium proprietary blueberry varieties developed through natural breeding.
Pio Rosell, blueberry breeder at Bloom Fresh, said: “From the beginning, the goal with Abril was to create a premium blueberry variety that consumers would genuinely remember and seek out again. Taste has always been at the heart of our selection process, alongside agronomic performance and fruit quality. Receiving this recognition from such an experienced international jury is especially rewarding because it validates years of breeding work focused on delivering a truly exceptional eating experience.”
Exports of Peruvian-grown Abril increased from more than 1,300 tonnes during the 2024/25 season to over 5,400 tonnes in 2025/26, reflecting growing confidence in the variety among growers, marketers and retailers.
