Everyone is crazy about strawberry apples: the iconic Kissabels are very popular on social media and are selling like hotcakes in fruit and vegetable shops. The reasons for this great popularity? There are actually two: the very vivid color of the pulp and the flavor which, according to many, is reminiscent of strawberries. But are they really worth buying? I tasted them and, honestly, I expected more. Here are my honest impressions.
GMO? No, this is how they are born
It should immediately be clarified that apple-strawberries are not the result of genetic selection. And contrary to what you think, Kissabel® does not represent a recent innovation. This particular apple was born in France 20 years ago, when a team of farmers had the idea of crossing red-fleshed wild apples with high-quality varieties to create a unique and more palatable fruit. After various crossings and a long wait, the first commercial orchards were obtained.
Because they are depopulated
Their success is linked to aesthetics and taste. On the outside they may look like fairly ordinary apples, but once cut they reveal flesh that ranges from bright pink to deep red. It is precisely this contrast between peel and interior that makes them so recognizable and makes them seem like something completely different than traditional apples. Added to this is effective marketing that presents them as a new, almost exotic experience, in a period in which food must immediately strike the eye before the palate.
The truth about the taste of apple-strawberries
A few days ago I received some Kissabel apples as a gift and, driven by curiosity, I tasted them, remaining a little disappointed. In fact, my expectations were higher. Given the bright nuance of the pulp, I imagined they would taste more like strawberries. In reality, the taste remains apples, with hints of red fruits, in particular strawberries and raspberries, but they are perceived slightly. The flavor of Kissabel combines sweetness and slightly acidic notes. In short, a must try just to satisfy your whim. But, in my opinion, it is more of a successful marketing operation (also because a kilo of apple-strawberries can cost up to 6 euros per kilo.
