SweeTango apple now sold out in the U.S. and Canada
SweeTango apple now sold out in the U.S. and Canada
It’s too late for a sparkling bite of “SweeTango” apples — at least for this season.
Theron Kibbe, executive director of Next Big Thing, the growers’ cooperative that own the club variety, explained that it was sold out in the United States and in Canada for the current season.
“This seasonal apple variety is available each fall,” he said. “It is typically in Washington state stores from mid-August to early September. In the Midwest, East and Nova Scotia, it is available into December.”
The “SweeTango’s” story began at the University of Minnesota where expert apple breeders — using time-honored horticultural techniques — struck gold by marrying the Honeycrisp and Zestar! varieties.
“Soon after came the creation of the Next Big Thing, a cooperative of 44 growers across North America selected to cultivate the ‘SweeTango,’” explained Kibbe.
The cooperative is comprised of stewards of apple growing, and includes some of the best apple growers in the world. These members maintain its top quality and ensures its claim of being the best apple around, year after year.
Kibbe noted that the 2015 crop was slightly below the 2014 crop.
“We are pleased with the engaged consumers’ use of social media to respond to promotions, share retailer locations and provide feedback to the apple they enjoy,” he said.
Lovers of the “SweeTango” report that the satisfying crunch and complex, yet sweet and tart flavor combination make it a superior apple-eating experience. The apple is crisp and sweet, with a lively touch of citrus, honey and spice.
Introduced in 2009, “SweeTango” is a seasonal apple harvested in early fall.
Kibbe said the trees continually grow larger and produce more fruit.
“Next Big Thing cooperative members continue to improve their horticultural techniques in order to grow a premium apple that consumers have come to expect,” he said. “As a managed variety, ‘SweeTango’ apples are produced using only the highest quality sites and growing practices.”
Kibbe said the two-pound, high-graphic pouch and display-ready box introduces new customers to this successful managed variety.
