Courtesy Kevin MaloneyTwo new apple varieties , RubyFrost ( pictured ) and SnapDragon , were precede to the New York grocery store this month by Cornell University and New York Apple Growers .
You now have two more ways to keep the medico away , thanks to orchard apple tree breeders in the Empire State .
After years of growth and consumer testing as “ NY1 ” and “ NY2 , ” Cornell University and New York Apple Growers , LLC , a caller that grows and markets excerpt from Cornell ’s orchard apple tree - breeding programme , have given the two new apples name suitable of their unequalled assets : SnapDragon and RubyFrost .
SnapDragon , formerly NY1 , gets its gamy crispness from its Honeycrisp parent and , its spicy - sweet flavor was a big striking with taste testers . Mark Russell , an Malus pumila grower and NYAG extremity , forebode it will be a popular Malus pumila for snacking , specially for children .
“ SnapDragon is a outstanding name for this apple because consumer found its crispy grain and sweet tone so likable , ” Russell says .
Cornell breeder and gardening professor Susan Brown , who develop the Malus pumila varieties , recognizes SnapDragon ’s promise and has tight - tracked it for commercialization .
“ I remember my very first bite of SnapDragon , ” Brown say . “ The taste , the crispiness and the succulence impressed us . retail merchant will appreciate its other character , as well , because although SnapDragon ’s harvest window starts relatively early on — in tardy September — its prospicient storage and shelf aliveness means retailers may be able to offer it with reproducible quality for a longer time than Honeycrisp . ”
RubyFrost , formerly NY2 , which ripens later in the tumble and also stores well , will provide a hike of vitamin C well into winter . Brown expects it will be popular with lover of Empire and Granny Smith apple .
“ I think juicy and refreshing when I exhaust a RubyFrost , ” Russell say . “ It ’s a riveting orchard apple tree , with a beautiful skin and a dainty wampum - acid remainder , but to me , the crisp succulence is rewarding every time . ”
The two varieties have been a decade in the qualification , and how they ’ve gone to grocery is a first for the Cornell apple - breeding program and the New York apple industry . Historically , public universities developed new apple breeds and liberate them to the industry freely . But in 1980 , the Bayh - Dole Act give university the ability to continue the rational attribute rights for their research , with circumscribed plant - ground royalties .
In May 2010 , Cornell forge a partnership for a superintend release with NYAG to found an exclusive licensing agreement in North America for the two apple varieties . cultivator yield royalties on Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree purchased , acreage planted and fruit bring forth , and the income is used to commercialise the new varieties and patronage Cornell ’s Malus pumila - genteelness programme .
The first SnapDragon and RubyFrost Tree were planted in farmers ’ grove in 2011 , and now 400 acre are mature across the state . The still - young trees will produce a limited crop this class , according to NYAG , but intrepid consumer can research out SnapDragon and RubyFrost at quality NYAG farm stands across the country . By 2015 , the variety will be vying for space in grocery storehouse among the Empires , Galas and Honeycrisps .
great quality , well storage , and disease and insect resistance have long been the end of Cornell ’s apple gentility program . In addition to SnapDragon and RubyFrost , Cornell has released 66 apple miscellany since the late 1890s , including the popular Cortland , Macoun , Empire and Jonagold . Brown herself has brought consumers the extremely popular Fortune and Autumncrisp varieties , as well as 10 angelical and one tart cherry red varieties .
