Sunday, September 27, 2015

Koru (Plumac) *

What's great about Koru, a new variety from that apple-breeding powerhouse called New Zealand, is flavor.

Texture and crunch are first rate (though perhaps not quite the thing for those who dislike hard apples).

But at this point crisp, hard, and sweet are standard for the new breeds—a kind of Platonic ideal for the industry and increasingly for the public.

So how to distinguish yourself in a marketplace crowded with nearly identical Platonic ideals? With taste.

Koru's is rich and cidery, with hints of orange juice and something tropical in the mix. There are also little spice, some floral notes, and a very faint whisper of vanilla.

Also, I noticed a savory note in the aftertaste of some samples.

The container of all this flavor is handsome enough, moderately tapered, squat, and ribbed.

large tan lenticels adding even more visual interest.

Many of my samples came with a bit of russet in the stem wells.

Its a good thing I had multiple samples, by the way, because the first Koru I tried was not up to snuff.

It was crunchy and juicy enough, with crisp coarse-grained yellow flesh, and plenty sweet, but the flavors were mild. It reminded me of Fuji.

Koru's full flavors are good, though I suspect I was missing some because of all that sugar. (Too much sweet or tart can overwhelm individual tastes.)

But the interesting point for me is that marketers are increasingly promoting varieties that, like Koru, are distinguished by how they taste. It's a trend I welcome.

Koru is a trademark, while Plumac is the actual variety name. The apple was discovered rather than bred, a chance seedling, but Fuji and Braeburn parentage are suspected.

Koru is a Maori word "for the new unfurling fern frond as it unfolds to create a new leaf," according to the Koru web site.

6 comments:

  1. I just found these today and tried one. I completely agree that it's a good apple. Crisp with good flavor. My palate is not nearly refined enough to taste the nuances, but I'll definitely be trying a few more of them.

    I also completely agree that it's a bonus we are seeing apples arrive that have good flavor. Fantastic idea by producers. I wish the concept would spread to other grocery items as well ((-ahem- tomatoes)). Good apple.

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    1. I am jealous. Where I live, this June seems to be especially bad for apples in the stores, the only place you can get them now.

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  2. Here in Alberta, Canada we get a lot of apples from WA State, especially the wholesale produce store that I go to brings Chelan products. Last January I bought a box of Koru apples for the first time. We were so surprised with the new and unique taste and the amount of sweet juice in them. They kept very well for about 3 months in our garage in the usual cold we have up here. It was hard to believe but there were no bruises on those apples. The producers must have taken their time in harvesting them. My family is a fan of Koru apples now. I am looking for more but there is none to buy, and the COVID-19 situation doesn't let me go to all grocery stores to check though. :-(

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    1. We had them here in the Northeast in April, definitely U.S. crop from last fall, which means Chelan. Glad to have them.

      You may be fortunate enough to get a boatload from New Zealand next month. Those will be fresh and worth having!

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  3. I can't fine Koru apples anywhere in the NW Indiana region. We border the Chicago area, but Koru and Kiku apples seem to have disappeared over the past year.

    My go to now are Fuji and Envy. However, the Koru is my favorite as it combines many if not most of the things I like about the Kiku, Fuji, and Envy apples. In my area Envy apples are not that large, and availability sporadic.

    Fuji at Costco come in medium to large, and both are offered at the same time, interestingly enough. Envy is available from time to time at Costo as well. Local "Wiseway" stores has Envy, Fuji, and Pink Lady more often.

    Ah, but the Koru, my favorite. Costco had the Koru apples and that is the first time I had an opportunity to try it. I think that was nearly 2.5 years ago. And from the first batch I was HOOKED on that apple. And then last summer into fall, no more Koru. As the supply dwindled and dried up, I found Kiku and they were pretty good, and available at a local grocery store. Then they too dried up. For me Koru and Kiku are no more, for about a year now.
    I'm sad that I can't get Koru apples. Boo hoo.
    I've even looked online.

    Great website BTW! Nice work. Thank you.

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    1. @Rex, they are good! I was enjoying them earlier this spring.

      BTW, Kiku is just Fuji; read my review.

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