A sweeter variety of nectarine has entered the market The Paynter family have released a new Yummy Hunny nectarine.
They are soft eating with yellow flesh with low acidity.
Paul Paynter from The Yummy Fruit Company in Hastings said that while the Yummy Hunnys looked like other nectarines, they tasted very different.
"Traditionallynectarines have a bit of a bite, a hit of acidity as well as some sweetness, but Yummy Hunnys have very low acidity. They have a much richer, more tropical taste and the lack of acidity means older people, children and anyone with a sweet tooth will definitely prefer them," he said.
"Eat them alongside a standard nectarine and you won't believe the difference."
He said shoppers would have to get in quick, with a short retail period for the country's first commercial crop of the new variety.
"Yummy Hunnys will be available for about three weeks only, from January 17 across the country. Shoppers need to get in quick to get their share of this exciting new fruit, as we won't be seeing them again until this time next year."
The fruit has undergone almost two decades of breeding, testing and planting to produce the first commercial crop.
"The first crossings for Yummy Hunnys were made in the early 1990s in California. Ten years went into the breeding of the new variety, followed by a further decade importing the crossings, and then testing, planting and ultimately production of the fruit," said Mr Paynter.
He said they could be identified with a Yummy Hunny sticker which featured a Yogi Bear movie image.
"These are not to be missed, in years to come we know they'll be a quintessential Kiwi summer fruit enjoyed by many."
The Yummy brand was launched in 1974 and for the first 20 years, only peaches and nectarines were marketed. Since the New Zealand apple market was deregulated in 1994, the Yummy brand has lead with quality and volume. Originating from its supply base in the Hawkes Bay, Yummy is also the leading apple brand to be marketed nationally and is a registered trade mark throughout the world.
The Paynter family started growing fruit around 1870, with the current business operated by fourth and fifth generations of the family.
It employs 120 permanent staff and between 50-250 casual staff depending on the season.
As well as its 530ha packhouse, cool stores and nursery, the family is the largest shareholder in a plant intellectual property company that imported, tested and commercialised fruit products.
