What are Pazazz Apples?

There is nothing boring about the name of this apple. But does it really live up to it's name? Our review of the Pazazz apple!

There is a new apple at the grocery store.  It is an apple made for more than just kikU or your oPAL. You may have a party for it, but without the PINATA. And you may not want to invite LADY ALICE.  It may not be all that JAZZ, but it certainly has a lot of PAZAZZ.

The serious apple fans will have understood that first paragraph and hopefully had a nice little laugh (or rolled their eyes at me). If you don't know what I am talking about, you got some research to do. Let my blog be your guide (aka click on the links for each apple).

The Pazazz Apple Is A Honeycrisp Cross

The Honeycrisp apple has taken the world by storm. It's popularity has changed the American apple industry. People are looking for the next Honeycrisp. All the time now it seems there is a new Honeycrisp cross (an apple with a parent that is Honeycrisp) hitting the stores. Add Pazazz to the list.

SweeTango has been my favorite Honeycrisp cross. I prefer it over Honeycrisp. I even did a blind taste test and 2 out of 3 people choose it over Honeycrisp.

The Rave apple is another Honeycrisp cross that hit stores this fall for the first time. Wasn't that impressed with Rave. Then there is the Evercrisp apple that is a cross between a Honeycrisp and a Fuji. That one I enjoyed quite a bit. It takes the very best characteristics of each of those apples without their weaknesses.

Others on the list includes Juici, Cosmic Crisp, Lucy Rose, Lucy Glo, Sugar Bee, and the list keeps getting bigger

The Origin of Pazazz Apples

Pazazz apples were created by the bees. Yes the bees. Under the guidance of Doug Shefelbine from Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He lets nature do the work. The bees cross pollinate the trees, producing different varieties. The only parent we know is the Honeycrisp. He grows and taste the resulting crosses.

Pazazz was one of those crosses that was deemed worthy of being reproduced.

In a world where we are always trying to control everything, to the point where we are manipulating the genes of apples in a laboratory to control the browning of an apple (that is a whole another story) it is refreshing to know that someone is just leaving it up to chance.

Where are Pazazz Apples Grown?

Most of the growers of Pazazz are in Wisconsin or Minnesota. They also have a grower in Nova Scotia.

What Did I Think of Pazazz

With a name like Pazazz and the word "wow" written on the bag I was expecting a lot more from this apple.

It is crunchy, sure.

It is sweet enough, well yeah.

But is it flavorful? Not really. The large apple that I found being sold by the pound were pretty bland. The smaller size apples are sold in bags. These I think are better. More flavor for sure. A nice blend of sweet and tart like the Honeycrisp has.

Still I didn't find them to really that unique. Better to eat this time of year (January) than Honeycrisp or Galas will be.

Overall I would say Pazzaz are just ok at best. This is not to say I am giving up on them completely. It is possible that they are better tasting at different parts of the season. Pazazz are grown by different growers and packaged together. It's possible that other growers do a better job growing the apple.

What I have learned over the years is that you need to try apples at different times to know when an apple is at it's peak. It is different for every apple.

This could be like the Jazz apple, which occasionally I have found some that were tasty, but most of the time they are disappointing to me as well.

Where to Buy Pazzaz Apples?

There is a list on the official Pazzaz website of what retailers are carrying the apple. Some of the retailers include Wegman's, Meijer, Albertsons, Hy-Vee, Cub Foods, Publix, and Kroger.

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.