Pinova (Piñata) Apple Review
"A Papier Mache Fruit Husk"
The Pinova apple (also branded as Piñata) probably should be beaten to a pulp with a baseball bat until the sweet innards drip onto the grasses of your backyard as a feast for ants. While it does have an intense sweet and juicy taste, that some breeders claim to invoke pineapple, this tropical depression is nothing more than a thick-skinned, papier mache fruit husk filled with off-brand hard candies. Skip the party, stay home and eat a Gala.
2022 UPDATE: The fresher apples are not mealy, major upgrade on flesh but with freshness comes worse density. Taste +1, Crispness +1, Skin -1, Flesh +3, Juiciness -1, Density -2. Horse Food -> Not Worth Eating.
- FLAVOR PROFILE -
SWEETNESS
3/5
TARTNESS
1.5/5
INTENSITY
3/5
PINOVA APPLE BIO
PARENTAGE
Cox’s Orange Pippin x
Duchess of Oldenburg x
ORIGIN
Germany
YEAR
1986
AVAILABILITY
Winter – Early Summer
BEST USES
Munching, Desserts
OTHER NAMES
Piñata, Corail, Sonata
I’ve been privately reviewing apples so I can remember what I like (my memory is awful). I always thought that *i* was florid, catty, and uncharitable…but I think I’ll just keep a list of names and leave the reviews to you.
No need to get your hands dirty in this filthy filthy business!
We just bought 10 apples while visiting the Apple Barn in Sevierville, Tennessee. We are keeping a list and ranking them as we try them.
These are the varieties we snagged on this trip:
1. Mutsu
2. Jona Gold
3. Staymen Winesap
4. Cameo
6. September Wonder
7. Pink lady
8. Arkansas Black
9. Piñata
10. Crimson Crisp
11. Rome
So far we’ve only sampled the September Wonder, Arkansas Black, and Piñata. The piñata was our favorite of the three! It was more crisp than a golden delicious, and had a tangy initial flavor followed by various levels of sweetness. We loved the September Wonder when we tried it first, but the Piñata had much more depth of flavor. Perhaps you got one that wasn’t quite in season?
That’s amazing!!
I agree wholeheartedly, but would like to add, the piñata apples I tried (and on Rosh Hashanah of all times ) had this awful somehow bitter and savory aftertaste. Savory is not a flavor apples should be?? Betrayed by the pretty apples with an interesting name
I think they’re a lot better this year. crisper, juicier, skin doesn’t seem as thick. I was pleasantly surprised.
We feel in love with the pinova at an apple tasting and have a prolific tree that we are just harvesting in northwest Washington state. I think the harvesting window for great taste is pretty short going from green/red to yellow/red. Once they are a bright yellow/red they are past their prime I think.
I ate one of these, loved it, and came to the review ready to fight. Then I ate another, which had about 1/3rd the flavor of the first one. Then I ate another, which had some of the flavor but the texture was way worse. Then I ate another that was good again. Then another that was bad.
So, honestly, fair review. That level of inconsistency in a single bag just made me sad!
I haven’t been able to find these since I tried them like 14 years ago. I really liked them, but in the back of my mind, I was hoping there would be a Rolo in the center.
These apples are seriously awesome here in Germany. I think they are grown in South Tirol. They are consistently crisp with high density and firmness. They stay that way for a while, too. I’ve never had them develop that smeary waxy film that some apples produce in storage, nor have I ever had a mealy one. Pinova has a sweet and slightly acidic taste. Lightly floral, but not indolic like Braeburn. I guess if they are bad where you are, it’s because they are imported or, if they are cultivated there, they might not thrive in your area.
I discovered the Piñata Apple in 2015, which I consider the most delectable apple on Earth. I used to buy them at Trader Joe’s, but they were often sold out whenever I went to the store. I baked pies, made apple sauce, and served them fresh. Wonder crisp flavor.
I discovered the Piñata Apple in 2015, which I consider the most delectable apple on Earth. I used to buy them at Trader Joe’s, but they were often sold out whenever I went to the store. I baked pies, made apple sauce, and served them fresh. Wonderful crisp flavor.