The quality of Planasa’s breeding programs once again recognized with international awards

Several blueberry varieties and advanced strawberry selections have received the Superior Taste Award granted by the International Taste Institute in Brussels.

2026 is proving to be a year of recognition for Planasa’s berry breeding programs. Six blueberry varieties and advanced strawberry selections have received the Superior Taste Award granted by the International Taste Institute in Brussels. These six new distinctions add to the award received earlier this year by the raspberry variety Pink Hudson.

In blueberries, the varieties Blue Maldiva and Blue Madeira have been recognized with the Superior Taste Award following blind tastings conducted by an international jury comprising more than 200 chefs and sommeliers.

Blue Maldiva stands out as a premium variety, combining exceptional flavor, jumbo-sized berries, and stable production throughout the season. Blue Madeira, meanwhile, is renowned for its firmness, shelf life, and excellent eating quality. The results highlight the outstanding sensory performance of both varieties, offering a remarkable balance of flavor, texture, and overall eating experience.

Planasa strawberries also get their flowers

In strawberries, four new selections from Planasa’s breeding program have also been recognized with this prestigious award presented by the International Taste Institute in Brussels. Three of them achieved the highest distinction of Three Stars, with scores exceeding 90 percent and in some cases approaching 95 percent.

These recognitions reflect the long-term efforts of Planasa’s breeding teams to strengthen a portfolio of varieties that continues to raise the bar in terms of quality and competitiveness in the world’s most demanding markets.

It is also worth noting that, in raspberries, the variety Pink Hudson was recognized earlier this year with the same award, achieving the highest Three-Star rating and an overall score of 90.7 percent.

The Superior Taste Awards are granted annually following blind sensory evaluations carried out by an independent jury of more than 200 tasting experts, including chefs and sommeliers from over 20 countries.

*All images courtesy of Planasa.

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