Bakersfield, California – Cotton Candy grapes amazingly taste like cotton candy! This green grape, with a distinctive and sweet flavor, is in its first year of commercial trial production based in Grapery’s California vineyards. “Wow that burst of flavor really does taste like cotton candy at the fair,” says one enthusiastic West Coast consumer.
“Cotton Candy tastes like no other grape,” says Grapery CEO Jim Beagle. “You have to try them for yourself. Frankly you won’t be able to stop eating them. Our commercial trials look very successful, and we are rapidly expanding production of this grape variety over the next several years,” says Beagle. Grapery™ is the exclusive licensee in California for Cotton Candy® production.
“It is exciting to be able to grow such an outstanding and unique product like Cotton Candy,” says Grapery’s founder, Jack Pandol Jr. “We are eager to grow, harvest and handle Cotton Candy and all of our grape varieties to maximize flavor. I guarantee that all of our Grapery products represent the absolute best flavor on the market today. Consumers want good flavor in their produce more than anything else, and we deliver.”
Thanks to a remarkable strategic partnership with Grapery, Cotton Candy was developed and patented by International Fruit Genetics (IFG). IFG developed this variety of grape in its Delano, Calif. based breeding program over a 10-year period. Cotton Candy was created under an exclusive contract with the University of Arkansas, by using traditional breeding methods to cross the best California grape varieties with grapes bred at the University of Arkansas.
IFG selects only the most flavorful parent material for cross-pollination. Dr. David Cain, General Manager of IFG, comments, “We believe great flavor is the key to successfully introducing new varieties to consumers. We are licensing growers around the globe to provide patented varieties that have sustainable consumer demand because of their flavor. We also focus on varieties with farming attributes that reduce inputs to support an economically sustainable farm economy. We expect many new and exciting flavors in the future, and Cotton Candy is a great indicator of what’s to come.” It actually took 40 years of traditional breeding at the University of Arkansas to combine the flavors of native eastern US grapes with the quality traits of seedlessness, crisp texture and thin skins that provided the basis for IFG’s Cotton Candy. This is a breeding cooperation unmatched in the history of table grape breeding.
About Grapery (http://www.grapery.biz)
Since 1996 Grapery has proudly distributed the best tasting and finest table grapes to grocers across the United States and around the world. In addition, Grapery has created partnerships to continually develop new varieties of this healthy, delectable fruit. Three generations of grape growing knowledge have contributed to Grapery's success. Grapery is focused on flavor in all its varietal selections, farming practices, and marketing partnerships. In the rich, deep soil of California's San Joaquin valley, Grapery grows and develops the most flavorful, highest quality table grapes on the market today. It is here, in this ideal Mediterranean-like climate, that Grapery's superb, delectable grapes grow, ripen and are picked at the optimal time to ensure unparalleled flavor.
About IFG (http://www.internationalfruitgenetics.com)
International Fruit Genetics (IFG) is one of the world's largest fruit-breeding operations. The company combines cutting-edge scientific techniques with proven business acumen and a worldwide patent protection program. At IFG, they understand that the agricultural markets, requirements and challenges are unique for each country. Growers worldwide, from South America to South Africa and from Italy to Australia, are discovering that IFG has the technology, the tools, the expertise and the commitment to make their world-class varieties successful around the globe.
Source: Grapery / IFG
