Zespri Green And Gold Kiwifruit Reaches U.S.
Redwood City, Calif.-based Zespri International North America delivers Zespri Green Kiwifruit through November and Zespri Gold Kiwifruit through September to supermarkets and foodservice providers.
Looking forward to this year's crop, Karen Brux, market manager for Zespri International North America, predicts, "Juicy and flavorful in ways no other source can duplicate, Zespri Kiwifruit from New Zealand will deliver truly superior fruit in 2010."
After a hot, dry summer, brix levels are being recorded at historic high levels that translate into sweeter, more flavorful fruit. However, it's not just the weather that creates a perfect kiwifruit. According to Zespri grower Jim Mathews, "The soil is the start of everything." New Zealand boasts a unique environment for growing kiwifruit: fertile volcanic soil and artesian irrigation water from the country's mountain ranges. Patience is a virtue in New Zealand. Growers only harvest kiwifruit that's reached a minimum 6.2 brix level that allows the fruit to continue to ripen off the vine. Sweet fruit picked at peak conditions reduces waste and increases customer satisfaction.