SweeTango®

SweeTango® is the exclusive brand for a premium quality apple fruit. SweeTango® brand Minneiska apples are produced from a Minneiska variety developed by the University of Minnesota. This variety has great parentage as a cross between two stars of the University of Minnesota apple breeding program: the Honeycrisp apple and the Zestar!® apple (Minnewashta variety). SweeTango® fruit offers another superior apple-eating experience—a satisfying crunch and a juicy blast of sweet-tart flavor.

To maintain high quality fruit standards that can be affected by climate, growing sites and production practices, SweeTango® brand Minneiska apples were introduced as a "managed variety". Commercial growers in Minnesota must be licensed to grow Minneiska trees. Growers outside of Minnesota must be licensed members of the growers cooperative, Next Big Thing (NBT). If you are interested in growing this exclusive brand, please review additional information on the SweeTango® website.

If you are simply looking for a crunchy, juicy, sweet-tart apple to truly enjoy, look for the SweeTango® brand at quality grocers and orchards.

Description

  • Complex flavor - SweeTango® Minneiska apples are juicy and sweet with hints of fall spices. This apple's flavor, balanced by vibrant acidity, dances to a long and satisfying finish on the palate. It also inherited the crisp texture of 'Honeycrisp' and juiciness of 'Zestar!®.'
  • Appealing appearance - This blushed apple, with deep red coloration over a yellow breaking background, is as appealing to the eye as its flavor is to the palate.
  • Early ripening treat - Because this variety typically ripens in early September, growers, retailers, and consumers can enjoy SweeTango® Minneiska apples while few premium apples are available.

Managed availability

Minneiska is a "managed variety," a relatively new concept for U.S. growers that is more common abroad. An important advantage of "managed varieties" is they allow growers to maintain high quality standards related to optimum growing sites, climate, and production practices. This helps assure the growth of a consistently premium quality SweeTango® brand Minneiska apple.

In 2009, a limited supply of SweeTango® Minneiska apples became available to consumers in Minnesota, the Northwest, and New England. Additionally, SweeTango® Minneiska apples are now available to consumers nationwide.

Trees likely will not be available to the general public until the patent expires in 2026.

For more information, please visit the SweeTango® website.


SweeTango® (Minneiska variety) is a registered trademark owned by the Regents of the University of Minnesota.