History Of Jazz

In the 1980’s, a breeding programme was run in New Zealand based on crossing the Braeburn and Royal gala varieties. The aim was to breed apples of excellent eating quality, texture and appearance which were adaptable to a range of climates and were also disease resistant. Thanks to this breeding programme, the Jazz Apple was born and began its rise to stardom.

Jazz Timeline

1984-5 – Initial crosses of Braeburn and Royal Gala made
1986 – Various Braeburn and Gala seedlings planted in nursery
1988 – 9,600 seedlings planted in orchard
1990 – Testing of new varieties and initial selection of Jazz
1995 – Jazz chosen for commercial advancement by ENZA
1996 – Trial plantings in New Zealand
1997 – Fruit production, maturity and quality after storage is assessed
1998 – Fruit assessed in US, UK and European supermarkets – feedback identifies Jazz as an outstanding prospect
1999 – Trial plantings in the US
2000 – Trial plantings in France
2002 – Patent approved and commercial name Jazz is made public
2003 – 450,000 Jazz trees planted in commercial orchards in New Zealand, France and the US
2004 – 75,000 cartons exported from New Zealand and first fruit available from France
2006 – Over 200,000 Jazz Apple trees covering some 200 acres are planted in Kent, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Sussex – the largest ever single apple plantation programme the UK has ever seen!
2007 – First British Jazz Apples are available in the UK
2009 - New Jazz Apple trees planted in South Africa
2010 - UK Jazz sales reach £25 million at retail level for the year ending 31st October 2010