Meet Breeze: The Story Behind our Apples

Every so often, nature quietly does something extraordinary. No fanfare, no grand explosion - just a gentle shift, a quiet little nudge, and something new begins.

That’s exactly how the Breeze apple came to be.

Years ago, in an orchard in Hawke’s Bay, a grower noticed something odd. One Royal Gala tree had a single branch - just one - that always flowered earlier than the rest. Not by much, but it was consistent. Every summer, as the orchard waited for the sea of white blossoms to signal the start of the season, this one branch would beat them to it. First to flower, first to fruit. And the apples it bore looked slightly different too - glossier, redder, a little more confident than the rest.

At first, maybe it was brushed off as a quirk. Trees can be a bit unpredictable. But it kept happening. Year after year. Same branch, same early blossoms, same distinctive fruit. Like clockwork. Eventually, curiosity won out, and the grower decided to get it tested.

What they found was fascinating. That single branch had undergone a natural genetic mutation - a phenomenon known as a “bud sport.” Essentially, one little bud on the tree had rewritten its own code, and in doing so, it had created a brand new apple variety. A happy accident, tucked away on a single limb.

Once the discovery was confirmed, this unique branch was carefully grafted and propagated, giving rise to an entire orchard of trees producing this new apple Breeze. Named for its early arrival, Breeze is now known as New Zealand’s earliest apple of the season. It’s picked when most other apples are still ripening, and it’s become a favourite for those who love a crisp, sweet bite!

We’re stoked to be getting Breeze apples this season, and honestly, knowing where they come from makes them taste even better. There’s something lovely about knowing your apple once started as a single, stubborn branch that bloomed a little too early - and changed the orchard forever.

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PS: Want to keep your apples crisp and crunchy?
Pop them in the fridge! Apples stored at room temp will soften way faster – especially in a warm kitchen. If you’ve already left them in the fruit bowl and they’ve gone a bit soft, don’t chuck them! Try this instead: Low-Waste Apple Fritters Recipe 🍎✨