Skip to main content

New ‘sassy’ apples variety lands on SA shelves for the first time with Pick n Pay

| News

South African apple lovers are in for a treat as Pick n Pay becomes the first retailer to introduce locally grown Sassy™ apples, an exciting new variety originally developed in New Zealand.

Known for their deep red colour, bold sweetness, and signature zing, these apples are now cultivated in the Ceres Valley.

Sassy™ apples are known for their bold flavour profile - sweet with just the right amount of zing – and their superior crunch that lasts throughout every bite. “This apple is a game-changer for those who love a crisp, juicy apple with a refreshing balance of sweetness and tartness,” says Rebecca Fifield, food technologist at Pick n Pay.

She says that apples are a customer favourite, and Pick n Pay stores stock all the major apple cultivars (11) due to their popularity and being a staple food in many people’s diets. “Top red apples are our biggest seller, but it’s always great introducing something new and we can’t wait for customers to taste the Sassy™ apple.”

There will initially be a limited supply of Sassy™ apples as the orchard develops to its full capacity, explains Fifield.

“The orchard is very young, and the supplier wasn’t expecting to get much fruit this year, but the trees surprised everyone. We were offered the apples, and we snapped them up because we’ve wanted to introduce the Sassy™ variety to customers for a long time. The volumes will grow yearly as the trees mature and more plantings are done,” she says.

A small quantity of Sassy™ apples will be sold at four Pick n Pay stores this week, namely Constantia and Plattekloof in Cape Town and On Nicol and Douglasdale in Johannesburg. To celebrate their arrival, the stores will host in-store tastings this Saturday.

Pin It

Related Articles

By Max Oliva, SPAR Southern Africa CEO In times of economic uncertainty, retailers must do more than simply meet demand - they must anticipate it, shape it, and lead it.
More than half of South Africans who visit taverns and shebeens do so on a weekly basis, positioning these informal venues not just as nightlife staples but as central pillars of everyday social life.
In a first for Standard Bank customers, UCount Rewards can now be earned and redeemed across Shoprite and Checkers supermarkets, and on Sixty60.  Members can earn up to 40% back in UCount Rewards points when shopping on Sixty60, and up to 30…
With Easter approaching, many South African households are looking for ways to celebrate while keeping costs under control. Economic challenges remain a concern, particularly with the upcoming increase in Value Added Tax (VAT), which is set to rise…
By: Mthobisi Nozulela – IOL Business Retailer Pick n Pay is reaping rewards from its partnership with FNB’s eBucks programme, which launched in November 2024 to help customers save on groceries, essentials, and clothing.