20 Mar 2025 New ‘Sassy’ apples launch in SA

There’s a new variety of apples on SA shelves….

Pick n Pay becomes the first retailer to introduce locally grown Sassy apples, an exciting new variety originally developed in New Zealand.

Known for their deep red colour, bold sweetness, and signature zing, these apples are now cultivated in the Ceres Valley. The new apple variety is being grown in SA for the first time, and a limited quantity will be available in select Pick n Pay stores this season.

“This apple is a game-changer for those who love a crisp, juicy apple with a refreshing balance of sweetness and tartness,” says Rebecca Fifield, food technologist at Pick n Pay.

At full maturity, Sassy is a medium size, full block-red with attractive light-yellow background, and an asymmetrical conical shape. When cut, the redness from the skin subtly permeates the flesh.

“Her brilliant red skin, snappy crunch, and sweet taste are wrapped up in a quirky conical shape. Put simply, she has zing,” quips Fifield.

She adds that apples are a customer favourite, and Pick n Pay stores stock all the major apple cultivars (11) due to their popularity and being a staple food in many people’s diets. “Top red apples are our biggest seller, but it’s always great introducing something new and we can’t wait for customers to taste the Sassy apple.”

Pick n Pay continues to partner with local producers to introduce ‘fruit with a twist’ to South African shoppers for the first time.

In 2022, the retailer launched caviar limes, which became an instant hit – selling out within days and even leading to waiting lists at select stores.  Dekopon mandarins – a large, super sweet mandarin sought after in many countries – were also locally grown and introduced on shelf in 2023.

Pick n Pay was also the first to introduce blood oranges, initially imported but later replaced with locally grown fruit. It also launched Valentine oranges, a pink-fleshed citrus available from July to September.

“These partnerships allow us to bring popular fruit from our countries to South African shelves, offering customers exciting new options while also supporting local growers, which is a top priority for us,” says Fifield.

There will initially be a limited supply of Sassy apples as the orchard develops to its full capacity, explains Fifield.

“The orchard is very young, and the supplier wasn’t expecting to get much fruit this year, but the trees surprised everyone. We were offered the apples, and we snapped them up because we’ve wanted to introduce the Sassy variety to customers for a long time. The volumes will grow yearly as the trees mature and more plantings are done,” she says.

Source: Pick n Pay