It’s not often you get to see a Kiwi holding an apple, but in the case of New Zealand apple grower Richard Hoddy, that’s exactly what happened! As a third-generation orchard owner, Richard is passionate about apples, and has probably forgotten more about this popular fruit than most of us will ever know. Talking with Richard about the ins and outs of apple farming was akin to having a conversation with a master winemaker, listening to him wax poetically about the grapes and the way he tends the vines. So it is with Richard and his orchard of top-quality New Zealand apples.

Richard’s 130-hectare orchard, called Vailima, is situated near the northern tip of New Zealand’s South Island, home of some of the world’s most ruggedly stunning natural scenery. With a beneficial mix of sunshine and rainfall, apples thrive here and Richard’s cold-shipped fresh apples are indeed among the best anywhere.

The passion and knowledge that Richard brings is a driving principle behind Heartland Fruit NZ Ltd, a group of four growers all committed to delivering consistently delicious, crisp, healthy fruit, indeed the best New Zealand has to offer, to consumers all around the world. The Heartland Fruit growers deliver their top-quality fruit under the Luv’ya brand, and if you’re looking for scrumptious, crunchy apples, this is the label you need to seek.

The Luv’ya brand, and the group of Heartland Fruit growers, as well, are not only committed to healthy, delicious fruit, they are actively involved in improving the entire growing process and in developing sustainable harvest and management techniques. Currently, Luv’ya delivers seven varieties of New Zealand apples and three pear varieties, as well. A rigorous quality control process ensures that only the finest apples reach our Malaysian supermarkets, and it’s a sure bet that you’ll never be disappointed when biting into a cold, crisp Luv’ya apple. Beyond the harvesting and packing stages, however, there’s a logistical challenge in getting fresh fruit to its intended consumers thousands of kilometres away, still tasting off-the-tree fresh. The Luv’ya process employs a controlled atmosphere approach, utilising the most advanced techniques in harvesting, packing, storing, and transport. This ensures that the fruit’s “respiration life cycle” is effectively put into hibernation until the fruit is removed from the controlled atmosphere, at which point that life cycle of ripening resumes, and the fruit optimal balance of sugars, acids, and flavors is reached. The result for us here in Malaysia is crunchy, perfect apples!

In any pursuit, passion results in excellence. Getting to meet the growers of these lovely apples, and hearing them speak so zealously about their life’s work left no doubt as to why the apples tasted so good. I suppose you could say, if you pardon the pun, that they have some excellent “core” values!

Tropical countries such as Malaysia have an abundance of wonderful fruits, but some fruits – berries, grapes, pears, and apples, for example – need the seasonal changes of the northern and southern latitudes. So even here in Malaysia, so very far from prime apple-growing land, when you get a craving, head to your supermarket, and ask for Luv’ya brand apples by name. You will be supporting family-owned orchards run by terrific people, and you’ll be getting the finest apple on the market, too!

Luy’ya brand apples are currently available at Cold Storage, Mercato, and Jasons Food Hall. For more information, please visit www.luvyafruit.com.

This article was written by Chad Merchant for Senses of Malaysia.
Source: The Expat July 2012
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