Tesco introduces new UK apple – Red Prince

Tescto says a new English apple variety that keeps its taste while stored over winter is set to transform the UK apple industry.

Thanks to the latest cold store technology and the apple’s unique structure – it is packed with juice under a deep red skin which makes it ideal for longer term storage – the Red Prince offers the taste of a high quality English apple, but in spring instead of autumn, the UK supermarket chain said in a press release.

The apple, which is grown in Kent, will go on sale this week at Tesco stores across the UK.

Tesco apple expert John Worth said that as the English season doesn’t start until August, the challenge for UK growers has been to come up with a variety that holds its freshness and taste while in cold storage during winter.

“Our grower has gone beyond that and found a new variety that actually improves in taste whilst it is dormant.

“The great thing about the Red Prince, which is a natural cross between the Golden Delicious and Red Jonathon varieties, is that it offers exceptional flavour. It has a tangy, sweet taste and is large and firm.

“Somewhat like a fine wine, while it sleeps, its flavour and texture are enhanced as the natural sugars and acids mature to elevate the eating experience of this premium apple,” he said.

The Red Prince is exclusively marketed by Kent-based fruit growers Adrian Scripps, one of the UK’s largest apple growers.

Adrian Scripps managing director James Simpson said the latest storage technology is ued to to put the apple “to sleep” by lowering the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the cold store to ultra-low levels. 

“Apples are monitored daily for any change in the skin colour, which can indicate that the levels are incorrect and are putting the apple under stress.

“Oxygen levels are set at  an optimum level found for the apple to store longer. This is different than normal storage where a standard regime is used that is not bespoke to the fruit in store,” Simpson said.

Tesco said it trialled the Red Prince in a few stores last year and the feedback from customers was excellent.