The Orléans Apple, Nearly 25 Years in the Making, Reaches Grocery Shelves
The Orléans apple was developed on Île d'Orléans, Que., and is hitting grocery store shelves this fall after nearly 25 years in the works. Producers began in 2002 by handpicking pollen from Honeycrisp and Empire flowers, then spent years crossbreeding until they arrived at the bright red and crisp Orléans.
It had been available in Quebec orchards for about two years before reaching grocery shelves.
AI-generated discussion · Different perspectives
Take
Karen Morin says the Orléans has been growing in popularity with pickers for two years, though many people still aren't aware of the latest varieties coming to market.
Pushback
Local interest gives it a tailwind, but that is not the same as name recognition; Brunelle says Quebec consumers are more conscientious about where their food comes from.