This New Zealand apple variety is available in the US in the summer months when there isn't a lot of good options. But is Diva a good option? You can find them as organic.
This is my third installment in a series of reviews of New Zealand grown apples that I found at Jungle Jim's in Cincinnati, Ohio. The first two were the Breeze and Royal Joburn varieties. The final one of the series is the Diva apple. I have enjoyed getting to try new apples when we are far removed from apple season here.
The Diva apple was developed in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, which is located on the east coast of the North Island. The climate there is dry and temperate. This area is renowned for it's vineyards and orchards.
The Diva apple is grown there by both conventional and organic means. It is available during late spring to mid summer in the United States.
The apple is a beautiful red color with light streaks of color and a round shape. The name "DIVA" goes along with the trend of giving apples short, 4 letter names - Jazz, Envy, Kiku, so and so. It's easier to get the name boldly on the sticker of the fruit if you have a short name. From a marketing perspective it makes sense, although I don't really love the name Diva.
? Ratings
Here is what I think of the apple (rating scale of 1 to 10)
| Crispiness | 8 |
| Tartness | 4 |
| Flavor | 7 |
| Sweetness | 8 |
| Juiciness | 10 |
Every new apple that comes out seems to always be about two things - sweet and crisp with flavor being a distant third. I was thinking oh no not another sweet, crunchy, yet flavorless apple. This has some flavor along with a bit of acidity, so it's more than drinking sugar water - try a Sonya apple if you want that experience.
It's super juicy. One of the juiciest apples I have ever had! Plenty of juice for juicing making.
I have found them for $3.49 a pound organic and $2.49 conventional. It was a few years in between sampling the apple., but both times I found that juiciness was the best part about it.
? Where to Buy
So far here is where I know that Diva apples have been available.
- Jungle Jim's (Cincinnati, OH)
- Dorothy Lane Market (Dayton, OH area)
- Whole Foods Market (select stores - organic)
- Martindale's Natural Market (PA)
? Try These Apples
Have you tried this apple? What did you think? Leave a comment below telling us. Be a helper and share where you found it. You may make someone's day with your insider info on where to get them! If you are a true apple lover, you'll want to check out all of our apple reviews.
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