Smitten

Smitten is a mid-to-late season bi-coloured apple. It has a very attractive red-stripped appearance, being quite light-red in colour with a pale white-yellow background. The texture is firm and crunchy, and the flavour is a good balance between sweetness and acidity. The texture has some resemblance to Jazz, but with a slightly lighter bite.

Texture is probably the main feature that distinguishes Smitten from others, and is very attractive to those who prefer a sweet, crisp and crunchy apple – one of the best. Smitten can sometimes be affected by sticky greasiness of the skin, though without detrimental effect on eating quality.

Smitten is a variety with very good keeping qualities.

Good Fruit Guide Rating: *****

Crunchy, sweet, fresh

Names: PremA17; Smitten; IFPS PLU 3627.

Origin: The variety is the result of the apple breeding programme at Plant and Food Research in New Zealand. The parentage is a Falstaff x Fiesta sibling and a Braeburn x Gala sibling. Commercialisation of the variety, including its global testing in major production countries, was undertaken by Prevar. It was released in 1995, and marketing of the variety started in August 2010. Known as PremA17 from its breeding programme, Smitten is a trademarked name for marketing purposes (‘Once bitten, forever Smitten’).

In UK, the supermarket, Morrisons, was chosen to sell the first volumes of Smitten from New Zealand. In 2016, a greater volume of the apple was available, so sales were allowed in a wider range of stores.

Grown in: New Zealand, UK

Harvest & Availability: Smitten is normally harvested in New Zealand from mid-February. Supplies to UK are as follows:

• January:
• February:
• March:
• April: New Zealand
• May: New Zealand
• June: New Zealand
• July: New Zealand
• August:
• September:
• October: UK
• November: UK
• December: UK

Websites:

• Smitten
• Prevar New Zealand
• OrangePippin – Smitten