As the holiday season approaches, CMI Orchards highlights Kanzi apples as the top choice for food enthusiasts in baked desserts and holiday treats. According to Rochelle Bohm, CMI’s vice president of marketing, Kanzi consistently wins as the best-tasting apple in blind apple pie taste tests. “Its sweet, intensely tangy flavor and exceptional texture, which remains firm when baked and doesn't become mushy like other apples, sets Kanzi apart from its competitors,” she said.

Bohm highlights the remarkable rise of Kanzi apples, now the second most popular variety in Europe and gaining rapid global traction, including among U.S. consumers. She said production is expanding in key regions like Italy, South Africa, Chile, Australia, New Zealand and the U.S. In America, consumers are particularly drawn to Kanzi’s intense flavor, a harmonious blend of extreme tartness and sweetness. Bohm suggests that retailers capitalizing on Kanzi’s superior qualities as a baking apple during holiday seasons can anticipate a significant boost in sales across various departments.

Danelle Huber, senior marketing manager, said Kanzi’s exceptional flavor garnered high ratings and positive feedback from U.S. consumers, based on data from 500 participants in an influencer mailout program. Kanzi maintains an impressive 4.56 rating without any negative reviews.

“Shoppers consistently show their willingness to pay more for Kanzi," said Huber. "Retailers can leverage marketing tools like our Flavogram program to educate shoppers, encouraging them to explore beyond their usual apple choices. This strategy boosts sales and cultivates repeat customers who’ll return time and again after experiencing Kanzi’s taste for themselves.”

CMI’s Flavogram program aids shoppers in comparing apples by providing detailed flavor profiles. Huber said the program’s high-impact point-of-sale materials not only attract attention but also prompt shoppers to try new apple varieties.

“By focusing on quality, taste, and consumer education, Kanzi apples are more than just a product: they’re an experience, offering retailers and consumers alike a taste of something extraordinary,” said Bohm. “As we head into the holidays, Kanzi apples are poised to be the star ingredient in kitchens and stores worldwide.”