New and Juicy Fruit Varieties You Should Know and Grow

Posted by Growing Produce Staff|November 14, 2023

Looking to grow something sweet and juicy? Plant breeders put much effort into developing new fruit varieties. American Fruit Grower recognizes this, and we are excited to help you promote them here. Scan the photo gallery for fresh apple, cherry, grape, and berry choices from leading tree nurseries and fruit breeders.

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Candy Snaps -IFG Forty-one (Sunridge Nurseries)

IFG Forty-one is an extension of the ‘Candy Snaps’ variety, extending its availability in retail stores for several weeks during the early to mid-summer season. ‘Candy Snaps’ is a strawberry-flavored red grape with a round, oval shape and crunchy texture, boasting tropical flavors and delightful strawberry, pineapple, and melon undertones with very good postharvest condition and shelf life.

Best growing regions: All

www.bloomfreshglobal.com
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Cheery Cupid - IFG Cher-ten (Sierra Gold Nurseries | Sunridge Nurseries)

‘Cheery Cupid’ is a large, heart-shaped cherry with a crunchy texture and balanced flavor of sweetness and acidity. With consistently high productivity and less than 300 chill hours required, it is in the early harvest window of two days ahead of ‘Brooks’.

Best growing regions: Warm, desert areas that typically do not provide enough chill hours for traditional cherry varieties. The variety can benefit from early heat to meet the very early harvest window.

www.bloomfreshglobal.com
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Legacy Gala - DRF 28 CLTV (Adams County Nursery)

‘Legacy’ Gala (U.S. Plant Patent #35,312P2) is a high-coloring, striped sport of Fulford Gala discovered in the orchards of Adams County Nursery by the late John H. Baugher, Sr. The fruit averages 10-15% more color than competing Gala strains and harvests with traditional Galas.
Best growing regions: Any

Disease resistance: Same as traditional Galas

https://acnursery.com/product/legacy-gala-drf-28-cltv-ppaf/
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Magic Star (Brandt’s Fruit Trees)

‘Magic Star’ consistently ranks high in consumer taste tests for its juicy, fresh, and sweet flavor. The dessert apple variety is crunchy and aromatic, producing firm, red fruit that stores exceptionally well.

Best growing regions: Bred in the Netherlands, currently grown in zones 7 to 8

Disease resistance: Resistant to common strains of scab

https://Brandtsfruittrees.com

Photo: Fresh Forward Breeding & Marketing
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Mapema (Nourse Farms)

‘Mapema’ (U.S. Plant Patent #27,182) is early fruiting and easy to grow with a high yield, producing large, conical fruit with a beautiful, deep color and exceptional flavor. The easy-to-pick raspberries are of excellent quality, shiny, and have a fairly good shelf life.

Best regions for growing: Zones 5 to 9

https://www.noursefarms.com/netherlands-advanced-berry-breeding-varieties/
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RubyRush NJ150 Citv. (Adams County Nursery)

An exciting release from Rutgers University, ‘RubyRush’ (U.S. Plant Patent #33,546) is a ‘GoldRush’ x ‘Enterprise’ cross selected for its scab-resistant traits as well as its excellent tolerance to fire blight and cedar apple rust.
The fruit is juicy with a desirable crisp texture.

Best growing regions: Any

Disease resistance: Scab-resistant and highly tolerant to fire blight and cedar apple rust

https://acnursery.com/product/rubyrush/
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Yambu (Nourse Farms)

‘Yambu’ (U.S. Plant Patent #28,048; ‘Honeoye’ x E1991-023) plants are very vigorous with dark-green color and have no special nutrient requirements. Fruits are very sweet, bright red in color, attractive, with uniform shape and glossy skin. ‘Yambu’ fruits for a long season and is very productive. Best growing regions: Zones 4 to 7 Disease resistance: Good tolerance to powdery mildew and verticillium.

https://www.noursefarms.com/product/yambu/