The crunchy apple with a tropical taste that you just have to try.
Wow has the apple world change in the last decade!
Every year next varieties have been hitting stores. Some that were once new have become stables. Other have fallen by the wayside.
One of the new stable apples is the Pinata. In 2010, the Pinata apple was released by Stemilt fruit nationally for the first time.
Now Pinata are one of the most common apples in the grocery store. Most major grocery stores carry them during the season
Let us share with you all that we know about the Pinata apple.
Where are Pinata Apples Grown?
Pinata apples are grown in Washington. You may also find the apple under the name “Pinova”. I have had Michigan grown Pinova apples. Pinata is the trademarked name that Stemilt growers use.
When are Pinata Apples in Season?
| Pinata Apple Season | Nov-July |
Originally when Pinata apples were first released it was right around the New Year. In case your wondering where they are harvesting apples in January in the United States, these apples were actually harvested in October and held in a controlled area until their nationwide release just after Christmas.
Now I see them showing up before Thanksgiving. And as I update this post in June, I just saw a bag of Pinata apples the other day at a grocery store in Ohio.
As the size of the crop has increased, so has Pinata availability. You can now get them from November through July, leaving only 3 months of the year when they are unavailable.
Pinata apples are at their best when they first arrive in stores.
Can You Buy Organic Pinata Apples?
Yes. Stemilt offers organic Pinata apples under their Artisan Organics label. The organic one are available at the same time as the conventional but can be a little harder to track down.
Look for Organic Pinata at stores that carry only organic or prefer organic fruit, such as places like Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods.
Pinata Apple Review
My Experience with this Apple (Rating Scale 1-10)
| Aspect | Score |
| Crispiness | 9 |
| Tartness | 6 |
| Apple Flavor | 8 |
| Sweetness | 7 |
| Juiciness | 8 |
What is the Flavor of the Pinata Apple?
So what does the Pinata apple taste like?
In the Pinata’s heritage you find the Golden Delicious, Cox’s Orange Pippin, and the Duchess of Oldenburg (fancy name!).
Cox’s Orange Pippin is a favorite apple in the UK. Some of it’s flavor can be tasted in the Pinata.
The apple is firm, crunchy, and juicy. It has a tropical (pineapple/mango like) undertone in it’s taste, which makes it unique.
Pinata apples are slow to brown so you can enjoy your time eating it, which out of hand eating is probably your best bet with this apple. That slow browning feature makes them great for salads.
Are Pinata Apples GMO?
No, Pinata apples are not a GMO variety. The only genitally modified apples that you might find have the name “Arctic” in them.
Can You Cook Pinata Apples?
Yes.
They hold their shape pretty good. I do think they are too sweet for baking purposes.
Here is what I like to do -= combine them with butter squash and saute them in a pan. Make sure to check out my full post featuring this recipe.
Sauteed Butternut Squash and Pinata Apples
Ingredients
- 1 Pinata apple peeled and cubed
- 1 small butternut squash peeled and cubed
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon high smoke point cooking oil I used sunflower
- 1 teaspoon good apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
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Melt the butter along with the oil in a saute pan over medium high heat.
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Add the squah along with the pepper and salt to taste.
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Cook the squash for 8 minutes, turning occasionally for even browning.
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Add the apple and cook for 5 minutes or until the apples have softened.
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Add the nutmeg,maple syrup, and apple cider vinegar. Stir to combine.
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Serve hot
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.
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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Thanks for mentioning our exclusive apple variety, Pinata! Such a great description of the apple’s flavor. It’s the blend of heirloom varieties and a unique, thin skin from Golden Delicious that give this apple its versatility. We have more of this apple planted in our orchards right now – so look for Pinata in the coming years too! Also, we mentioned this post on our Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/PinataApple.