Jazz and Envy apples, two of New Zealand's most iconic apple varieties, celebrate 40th anniversary
This spring marks the 40th anniversary of the beginning of two of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most successful apples—Scifresh and Scilate, marketed as JAZZ™ and ENVY™ respectively.
Developed in 1985 by scientists at the Bioeconomy Science Institute (then part of DSIR) and exclusively commercialized globally by T&G Global (then ENZA), the two apples have become international success stories, showcasing Aotearoa New Zealand’s strength in developing new varieties and building global brands that meet consumer and grower needs.
Scientific innovation as a commercial edge
Bioeconomy Science Institute apple breeder Richard Volz says the two cultivars helped shape Aotearoa New Zealand’s apple industry as pioneers of licensed varieties. The cultivars set the standard for flavor, texture, and quality amid growing category commoditization on the global market.
“In 1985, while more traditional apple varieties were performing well as export crops for New Zealand growers, the industry knew it couldn’t stand still," Volz says.
At the time, he explains, competitors in the southern hemisphere were starting to grow similar varieties, making it difficult for New Zealand growers to remain competitive due to higher production and shipping costs.
"The only way to stay ahead was through innovation and discipline," says Volz.
Developing new cultivars offering improved flavor, appearance, and storage performance became a priority for the Aotearoan apple industry.
Jazz and Envy—Brands decades in the making
It took over 20 years of development to create Scifresh and Scilate.
More than 8,000 seeds were produced from a cross between Royal Gala and Braeburn, from which approximately 7,000 were planted. Just 211 trees were then selected to go onto an advanced selection orchard, from which Scilate was chosen.
The result is a variety with a radiant red in color, high flavour, high juice content, and an aromatic profile thanks to its balanced acidity.
As the exclusive global licence holder of both varieties, T&G launched Scifresh as JAZZ™ apples in 2004 and Scilate as ENVY™ in 2008, establishing them as premium global brands, grown in both hemispheres and loved by consumers in over 50 countries.
A T&G investment that paid off
Shane Kingston, T&G’s Chief Operating Officer Apples, says the success of JAZZ™ and ENVY™ apples reflects T&G’s integrated and disciplined approach to growing great brands and winning in key global markets by meeting and exceeding consumer needs.
He explains that building brands at this scale requires an end-to-end system, which is exactly what T&G has invested in.
"It starts with superior varieties and protecting your IP, and spans the entire value chain, from world-class orchards, partnering with the best growers, leading-edge post-harvest facilities, right through to building global consumer demand market by market to meet the supply coming off the tree,” Kingston says.
ENVY™ is now one of the leading premium apple brands in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Thailand, and the United States, while JAZZ™ is the number one imported apple brand in Japan, and one of the United Kingdom’s and Australia’s leading apples.
“With demand increasing for both premium branded apples, we license the growing of JAZZ™ to growers in more than 11 countries, while ENVY™ is grown in over 13 countries," Kingston continues. "This global network, underpinned by robust quality standards and processes, provides the scale we need to provide consumers with exceptional tasting apples and a great experience every day.”
*All images courtesy of T&G Global
Related stories
Subscribe to our newsletter
