It is surprising to see how many varieties of apples that we have out here. Many people are obsessed with the notion of creating the perfect apple that there have been several genetic crossings between different varieties. The jazz apple is a result of one of those crossings, it is an apple that in recent times, has received a lot of appraisal from the market.
Jazz apples are exceptionally crisp and have a firm texture. This makes them very suitable for transport over long distances. This means that you could get jazz apples wherever you are without blemishes or bruises. Now that you have heard of it, I bet you are curious to know what it tastes like.
What do jazz apples taste like? Jazz apples have a sharp but sweet taste with a pronounced pear drop flavor. Jazz apples have a higher content of sugar about 16g in every 100g and the pronounced pear drop note is very subtle in its parent apple varieties; Braeburn and Royal Gala.
Jazz apples are not like other market varieties that are tasteless and just used to fill shelves in stores.
If you have a weak set of teeth, don’t bite into jazz apples. You can cut them into slices first before going on to enjoy them. Jazz apples might be firm but they are juicy as well and they have a flavor that puts them right on top of the list of best apples. Their taste and flavor can not be rivaled by original varieties of apples.
Nutritional Benefits of Jazz Apples
Jazz apples are usually red with patches of green or yellow. They also contain a good amount of antioxidants or phytochemicals. Antioxidants like catechin, quercetin, and procyanidin B2. These antioxidants have proven beneficial to people and help prevent Alzheimer’s disease. They also help to lower cholesterol levels, reduce inflammation and prevent the growth of certain kinds of cancers.
Jazz apples also help in keeping the heart-healthy. They contain folic acid and dietary fiber; pectin. Jazz apples contain zero fat and relatively low carbs.
Jazz apples contain a fair amount of sugar. But it is the healthy kind. They can soothe your cravings, or assuage your sweet tooth and keep your blood sugar level pretty low. They also contain more fiber than most fruits.
Jazz apples can also help you lose weight, research has shown that overweight women who added three apples per day to their diet managed to lose over 2 pounds with any other assistance in 10 weeks.
Like the saying, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”, Jazz apples can keep everyday illnesses away if you include them in your usual diet. They have some health-boosting compounds that would do the job just fine.
Culinary Uses of Jazz Apples
Jazz apples are enjoyed better when eaten out of hand. If you have a weak tooth, don’t try it that way. Slice them into pieces first. But, you would enjoy jazz apples best if you eat them raw. This doesn’t mean that jazz apples can not be incorporated into other food forms and not be enjoyed.
Jazz apples are usually favored in baking, you can include them in pies, cakes, bread, or muffins. Because of their firm texture, they maintain their shape and hold their color well. Meaning that they don’t bleed color into your baked goods.
Jazz apples are also great as dessert food items. You can add them to galettes or tart. The sharp but sweet flavor will complement almost everything you decide to pair them with.
Jazz apples can be roasted alongside other vegetables, then stuffed inside a chicken or turkey. You could decide to stuff the chicken before roasting so that the apples can bleed their flavor into the meat.
The texture of jazz apples allows them to be used in applications that do not require cooking. You can put them in fruit salads, on top of burgers or yogurt and ice cream. The possibilities are endless. Jazz apples pair well with cheeses, pork, pear, and ginger.
Where are Jazz Apples Grown? How Do You Procure Them?
The jazz apples were first developed in New Zealand in the 1980s by Allen White of Plant and Food Research. Commercial production began in the 1990s only in New Zealand, but it wasn’t introduced for commercial farming till the 2000s.
After its introduction, jazz apples have been grown in England, Chile, France, and Washington, D.C. in the United States under strict quality control policies.
Like every other modern variety of apples, the jazz apples are trademarked with rights of ownership jointly owned by a marketing agency; Enzafruit. This agency sees the distribution and planting of the variety internationally.
In the northern hemisphere, jazz apples tend to be available towards the end of the year. While in the southern hemisphere, they would be available around May.
If you walk into any convenience store, you should be able to buy jazz apples. They are readily available in supermarkets and stores and could be kept in cold storage for out-of-season periods.
Why are they Called Jazz Apples?
Jazz apples were developed in New Zealand as a joint venture between the Plant and Food Research Institute, orchardists, and Enzafoods. The name Jazz is a trademark.
Facts You Don’t Know About Jazz Apples
- Jazz apples can be available all year round, but it takes the trees four to five years before they start bearing fruits.
- The original cross that made the jazz apples was made in 1985.
- Jazz apples vary in size, and a brighter red color could mean more flavor and pronounced taste.