Have You Ever Eaten a Red Flesh Apple?

A striking apple with a naturally red centre is returning to South African shelves this April, offering retailers and consumers a glimpse into the future of fruit innovation.

Following a successful soft retail trial last season, Kissabel® apples, grown locally by Dutoit, will be available in limited quantities from 16 April at select retailers while stocks last. At first glance, Kissabel® may resemble a traditional apple, but slice it open and the surprise is revealed: a naturally vibrant pink-to-red flesh that transforms the everyday apple into something visually extraordinary.

Beyond its striking appearance, Kissabel® delivers a distinctive eating experience. Developed through the international IFORED breeding programme and now being trialled in orchards around the world, the apple represents a new generation of varieties bred not only for performance in the orchard, but also for flavour, texture and visual appeal.

“This season marks an important step forward in our journey with Kissabel,” says Willie Kotze, Technical Manager at Dutoit. “Following last year’s soft launch, we’ve gained valuable insight into how the different selections perform under South African growing conditions. While our trees are still young, we are already seeing encouraging signs in terms of flavour expression, colour development and overall fruit potential.”

Unlike traditional apples, Kissabel selections offer two distinct flavour and colour profiles, giving consumers a completely different sensory experience.

Some selections feature a light, crisp and juicy texture, with a balanced interplay between sweetness and acidity. These apples have an attractive exterior blush and a vibrant red flesh that gently fades toward the centre, offering a refreshing and well-rounded flavour profile.

Other selections develop a deeper red colour both inside and out, with a more intense sweetness and high natural brix levels. These apples deliver a bold, berry-like flavour that sets Kissabel apart from conventional varieties.

“It’s an apple that invites curiosity,” says Kotze. “The visual surprise captures attention, but the flavour is what really keeps people coming back.”

Kissabel® forms part of the global IFORED apple breeding programme, a collaborative initiative involving growers in more than a dozen countries focused on developing naturally red-fleshed apples.

Dutoit is among the first growers in South Africa to trial and cultivate the variety, with concept orchards currently helping the team better understand how the different selections perform locally.

Because many of the trees are still in their early cropping years, volumes remain limited, but the learnings gathered during these early seasons will help inform larger commercial plantings planned for the coming years.

“We’re very excited about the future of Kissabel® in South Africa. This is a long-term commitment for Dutoit, and while we’re still in the early stages, we’re confident in the role this variety will play in both local and export markets,” says Gysbert du Toit, Dutoit Commercial Director.

Beyond the orchard, Kissabel® apples are quickly gaining attention from chefs, bakers and food stylists thanks to their dramatic colour and versatile flavour.

Their vibrant red flesh holds beautifully when sliced, making them ideal for:

• Fresh snacking and lunchboxes
• Fruit platters and salads
• Apple carpaccio or desserts
• Juices, smoothies and cocktails
• Tarts, crumbles and apple pies where the pink tones create a striking visual twist

Simply slicing a Kissabel apple reveals its signature blush, instantly elevating everyday dishes with colour and character.

As the orchards continue to mature, Kissabel® apples will appear in small seasonal drops each year, offering consumers a chance to experience something truly different in the fruit aisle.

For now, the apples remain a limited seasonal release, adding to the sense of discovery around this emerging variety.

Kissabel® apples will be available at selected retailers from 9 April while stocks last.