The Rise of Cosmic Crisp: A New Apple Variety Takes the Market by Storm

Cosmic Crisp, a new apple variety developed by Washington State University, has made a significant impact in the market. The variety was developed as a replacement for the declining popularity of the Red Delicious apple. Historically, Red Delicious dominated the industry due to limited supermarket interest in other varieties. However, with the success of new varieties like Honeycrisp and Gala, there was a demand for innovative apple breeds. Enter the concept of club apples, which are tightly controlled by cooperatives and marketed as premium and high-priced varieties. Cosmic Crisp follows this approach and has been hailed as the biggest launch in apple history, with 12 million trees ordered and 5 million boxes delivered to stores in the first year alone. The apple's sensory and flavor characteristics were carefully tested to ensure consumer appeal. With its juicy, sweet, and crisp texture, Cosmic Crisp has managed to stand out in the competitive apple market.