A NEW series of flat peaches with the "perfect flavour balance of high sugar and low acid" has hit the Australian market, prompted by some extreme weather.
WA Farm Direct and N&A Group launched the Ondine series of flat peach and flat nectarine varieties onto the Australian market earlier this month with larger volumes available through select retailers for the first time this year.
The Ondine series boast a vibrant coloured skin and a flat shape.
Australian commercial plantings of Ondine are still relatively young, at just two years old, and after some extreme weather events during the growing season, the group has decided to focus the entire volume on domestic markets.
The varieties were originally developed in France by the Maillard family of Agro Selections Fruits (ASF).
The late director Arsene Maillard, and his wife Laurence, dedicated the past 25 years to developing new fruit varieties to satisfy rigorous selection criteria.
WA Farm Direct's Jenny Mercer of said she believes the Ondine fruit has the ideal set of characteristics needed to draw new customers to the stonefruit category.
"Ondine is perfectly positioned to capture new customers from the families and gourmet snacking markets," Ms Mercer said.
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"Its size profile and unique flat shape make it an ideal snack fruit, being easier to hold than conventional round peaches or nectarines.
"It's exceptional flavour and unusual appearance means it can also be positioned as a gourmet snacking product.
"Another key differentiator is the extended supply window that Ondine offers. Ondine will be available from December through till March, giving consumers more opportunities each season to try the variety for the first time, and then to come back and purchase it again."
Rob Cathels, N&A Groups, said Australian-grown Ondine will be available through domestic sales channels exclusively this year.
"With select retailers now stocking Ondine, there will be more opportunities for Australia to try an Ondine flat peach or nectarine this year," Mr Cathels said.
Around 2500 hectares of Ondine flat peaches and flat nectarines have been planted worldwide, with production spread across Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Chile, South Africa and Australia.
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