New York keeps RubyFrost expansion on hold for now.
New apple varieties are fighting for consumer attention. Those that get it will survive in the marketplace. Maybe even thrive. Those that do not will fade away.
For SnapDragon and RubyFrost, New York state’s first managed varieties, it’s probably too soon to predict their fate. But the cooperative that oversees them, Crunch Time Apple Growers, is cautiously expanding acreage of SnapDragon while keeping RubyFrost in a holding pattern, at least for now.
“It’s a constant struggle to get people to try new apples, but sometimes the only way forward is forward,” said Mark Russell, who owns Two of Clubs Orchard in Appleton, New York, with his wife, Jill MacKenzie. He’s also a member of Crunch Time’s board of directors.
“Older varieties need to come out and newer varieties need to come in,” Russell said. “One of those varieties that need to expand is SnapDragon.”
Cornell University’s apple breeding program created both New York 1, marketed as SnapDragon, and New York 2, marketed as RubyFrost. SnapDragon, a cross of Honeycrisp and an advanced New York selection, is a red apple with sweet, crisp and juicy flesh. It matures in late September to early October in New York. RubyFrost, a cross of Braeburn and Autumn Crisp, has more of a tart flavor, high vitamin C content and is suitable for fresh eating and baking. It matures in mid- to late October.