I have written this countless times now on this blog, but there is another new apple variety to review. It's really new for the U.S. market makes it's debut this fall (thanks to the Freshmax Group). I picked it up after some Christmas shopping at Randazzo's in Westland, Michigan. I am talking about the Mahana Red variety. This apple originated in New Zealand, like the popular Braeburn apples. It was discovered as a chance seedling by Robin Field in the 1990s and it's been growing in popularity in New Zealand ever since. There is a select group of 4 growers that currently grow it.
The apple is known for it's bright red skin. It's quite the eye catcher. It seems to be a good keeper as well as it's availability strengths from April to December! Keep in mind, it's fall in April in New Zealand, so this apple would ripen in October if it was grown in the U.S. which it currently is not.
Here is a video featuring one of the growers describing the apple:
My Experience with this Apple (Rating Scale 1-10)
[table]
Aspect, Score
Crispiness, 8
Tartness, 5
Apple Flavor, 6
Sweetness, 7
Juiciness, 8
[/table]
Overall Feeling: This apple has been described as "deliciously divine" and "a blissful bite", while it's not my favorite, it is better than a lot of the new apple varieties made popular in recent years. It has enough tartness to it to balance out the sweetness. It's not just another sweet, crunchy, flavorless apple. I found the flavor to vary in quality amongst the 4 samples I had. The last one I ate was good, so that it what is left in my mind. Not a bad apple.
As for uses, out of hand eating for sure and even thought I haven't tried them, I think they would perform well enough for cooking, but there are better options out there.
Here are some apple related kitchen tools I recommend:
Amco Dial-A-Slice Adjustable Apple Corer and Slicer
: Allows you to slice apples into either 8 or 16 pieces
Zyliss Soft Skin Peeler
: The best peeler I have ever owned. Does a great job peeling an apple.
Mirro Foley 2-Quart Stainless Steel Food Mill
: A great tool for making your own applesauce. You can make the sauce without having to do any peeling.
These apples are the worst!! Gritty and soft don't waste your money.
Hmm, one mediocre review, one comment that it is the worst ever, I am raving about these to everyone, and I don't normally rave about fruit. The texture is great, the taste is just the right balance between sweet and a crisp apple flavor, best apple I have ever had.
Glad that you found and enjoyed the apple. Everyone has different tastes, which is why they are so many varieties on the market today. It also depends on fresh off the tree you are having the apple.
Eric, I feel as though we've been had. This is just old Braeburn under another name.
According to the plant patent for this variety, it was not " discovered as a chance seedling by Robin Field in the 1990s."
It's a limb-mutation that is redder, is all. Not a new variety at all.
Phooey.