After 25 years of development and promotion, Washington State University (WSU) plans to introduce a new variety of apple to the market in 2024. Currently known as WA-64, the apple was first developed in 1998 through crossing the Honeycrisp variety with Cripps Pink apple. WSU aims to find the perfect name for the apple before it hits the store shelves.
To determine the winning name, WSU plans to hold a naming contest in spring 2024. The university will select several names and branding packages, which will undergo detailed evaluation by focus groups. The chosen name will be another important milestone in the process of introducing this apple variety to the market.
According to Jeremy Tamsen, WSU’s Director of Innovation and Commercialization, WA-64 is characterized by its crispy and crunchy texture, combining the best traits of its parents. The apple’s appearance features a bright yellow background that gradually transitions into red and pink skin, as market research shows that consumers prefer red or bi-colored apples.
Similar to the previous WSU apple variety, Cosmic Crisp, which has achieved tremendous commercial success, WA-64 may not initially be widely available. Tamsen explained that the conditions for WA-64 differ from those for which Cosmic Crisp was developed, which became a hit due to favorable conditions in the industry at that time. WSU expects the new variety to have smaller initial availability compared to Cosmic Crisp.
After giving WA-64 an official name and introducing it to store shelves, it will be the fourth commercially introduced apple variety by WSU. The previous varieties include Cosmic Crisp, WA-2 (Sunrise Magic), and WA-5.
Residents of Washington state and apple enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to try this new variety in the coming years.
The source of the article is from the blog karacasanime.com.ve