Monique Cashion An Apple A Day Interview

Monique Cashion An Apple A Day Interview

Apple season is now in full swing with the Australian favourite Pink Lady now available in Woolworths stores nationwide, with customers being able to enjoy the new season variety in their most natural state with no added wax.

100% Australian grown, Woolworths will sell an estimated 370 million apples this year with up to nine different varieties on offer dependent on the time of the year.

The most popular apple is the Pink Lady, accounting for over a third (35.5%) of sales, followed closely by the Royal Gala (22.5%) and then the Granny Smith (16.4%). A number of new apples varieties have also been added to the fruitful line-up in the past few years such as Envy, Kanzi and Rockit.

Woolworths made a commitment to not add wax to new season apples in 2017 following an increase in customer demand to purchase fruit as nature intended.

Scott Davidson Woolworths Head of Produce said; "The Pink lady apple continues to be a staple of Aussie fruit bowls and kids school lunchboxes and we're pleased to now be able to offer them with no added wax.

While the unwaxed Pink lady may look duller, Woolworths shoppers are already taking a shine to more natural looking apples with sales strong for the early season Royal Gala variety. The apples taste just as good and contain all the nutrients that an added waxed apple has."

Enjoyed as part of a healthy balanced diet, apples help maintain heart health and emerging scientific evidence suggests apples assist with managing weight control, diabetes and digestive health.

Apples have the following benefits:

Low GI – low Glycemic Index for longer lasting energy
Source of dietary fibre to maintain a healthy digestive system
Source of Vitamin C to support your immune system
Contains antioxidants including polyphenols, especially if you keep the skin on

Scott Davidson added; "With new season Pink lady apples now on sale, we're looking forward to a bumper crop of new season Granny Smiths hitting stores in the coming weeks, while new season Envy, Kanzi and Rockit will be ready for Aussies to consume this month."

 

Review: It doesn't matter how you like to consume your apples… no-one likes waxy apples. And now, thanks to Woolworths, you don't have to waste any time rubbing excess wax onto your clothes before eating the easiest and healthiest snack!

I personally couldn't choose how was best to devour the Woolworths Select no-added wax Pink Lady apples so I ate one, on Thursday, whilst walking to purchase my morning coffee and later cut one and smothered each piece with peanut butter, to cure those 3pm cravings.

And, to prove how versatile the apple is on Friday, I cut a Pink Lady apple into small cubes and ate alongside delicious granola, cinnamon and Greek yoghurt with honey for breakfast. For an easy (and seriously delicious) Friday night dinner, I got super fancy and thinly sliced apples and placed them on a Wholemeal Pita with spinach, prosciutto, cheese and figs. Oh, did I tell you they are a superfood?

- Brooke Hunter

 

 

Interview with Monique Cashion, Senior Nutritionist, Woolworths

Question: When is the apple season?

Monique Cashion: Apples are in season now.


Question: Can you tell us about why Woolworths have started stocking apples with no-added wax?

Monique Cashion: Removing added wax from apples came in response to growing customer requests for us to explore ways for them to be able purchase produce as nature intended, with nothing added.


Question: Why are apples making a secret superfood come back?

Monique Cashion: Consumed as part of a healthy diet, apples have a host of healthy benefits including aiding the management of heart health, weight control, diabetes and good digestive health*. New season apples are readily available in a range of varieties, come with no added wax at Woolworth and cost a fraction of the price of some other 'superfoods' so it's no surprise consumers are cottoning on to the benefits of this humble fruit.

Question: What are the main benefits of apples?

Monique Cashion: Apples are the ultimate easy and healthy snack as they have a low Glycemic Index for longer lasting energy. They are also a fantastic source of antioxidants and dietary fibre, which helps to maintain a healthy digestive system, as well as containing Vitamin C to support the immune system, reducing tiredness and fatigue.


Question: Can you tell us which apples will be stocked at Woolworths?

Monique Cashion: This year Woolworths is stocking up to nine different varieties of new season apples with no added wax. The most popular apple is the Pink Lady, accounting for over a third (35.5%) of sales, followed closely by the Royal Gala (22.5%) and then the Granny Smith (16.4%). A number of new apples varieties have also been added to the fruitful line-up in the past few years such as Envy, Kanzi and Rockit.


Question: Where does Woolworths source their apples?

Monique Cashion: Woolworth apples are 100% Australian grown. All year round Woolworths will sell an estimated 370 million unwaxed apples this year with up to nine different varieties on offer dependent on the time of the year.


Interview by Brooke Hunter