New Zealand’s Miranda Apples: Uncommon, Unexpected, Unforgettable

Since 2023, a niche New Zealand apple variety called Miranda has been available at Freshippo stores in China. In just two years, it has rapidly expanded into 16 supermarket chains across the country. Produce Report recently spoke with Wendy Cai, commercial manager for Asia at Golden Bay Fruit, to explore how this unique variety has managed to gain so much traction on the Chinese market.

Cai began by introducing Golden Bay Fruit. Unlike most apple companies, which are located on New Zealand’s North Island, Golden Bay Fruit is situated in the northern part of the South Island. The company oversees more than 750 hectares of apple orchards and over 100 hectares of kiwifruit. Nestled among rugged mountains, tranquil coasts and rolling plains, this relatively small region features diverse climates and produces exceptionally sweet fruit. In 2000, several long-established family orchards joined forces to create Golden Bay Fruit, exporting their produce worldwide directly from the orchards.

Miranda, as Cai explained, was not the result of deliberate breeding but rather a seedling that was discovered by chance in Golden Bay Fruit’s orchards, unexpectedly giving rise to a variety unique to the company. For this reason, its appearance is less uniform than that of many other commercial apple varieties.

The Miranda apple features a bright yellow-green skin with a natural blush of red. Crisp and juicy, it is purely sweet with no acidity, complemented by subtle notes of vanilla and cream. Its refreshing taste has even been likened to soda, earning it the nickname “the soda apple.”

In a market where most apples on supermarket shelves are bright red, Miranda stands out with its distinctive appearance. To emphasize this uniqueness, Golden Bay Fruit created special packaging for the Asian market, inspired by a tennis ball tube, which beautifully showcases the apple’s distinctive look.

When Miranda was first introduced to China, wholesalers were skeptical of the variety, so the company elected to work directly with retail channels instead. In 2023, Miranda debuted at Freshippo, where it was met with strong consumer demand. This year, the brand successfully expanded to 16 supermarket chains. Cai noted that China has performed the best among Asian markets, and Miranda’s production is forecast to double next year, with exports to China expected to rise accordingly.

As a boutique fruit company, Golden Bay Fruit operates its own integrated growing, packing, export and marketing departments. Its packing lines are among the most advanced in New Zealand, ensuring that apples are carefully sorted and graded before being packed to meet the specific requirements of different markets.

Looking ahead, Cai also introduced two new apple varieties that Golden Bay Fruit will soon bring to China. Sassy is an early-season variety — small, sweet and refreshing — making it perfect for snacking. Posh, a mid- to late-season variety, is larger and ideal as a festive gift. With a crisp, sweet flavor and a light texture accented by hints of melon, it is also known as the “champagne apple.”

Images: Golden Bay Fruit

This article was translated from Chinese. Read the original article.