Black diamond apples sell for $20 apiece, but no one wants to grow them

15.05.2023 

You may have noticed that not all apples are red. There are yellow, pink, or green varieties. Red apples get their color from anthocyanins. These are pigments or natural dyes that develop as the apple grows.

But did you know that there is a new variety of apples on the market that recently peaked in popularity? Like other apples, they are rich in minerals and microorganisms, but much more crisp and tasty.

Black diamond apples are a variety of Hua Niu apples. It is a native of New Zealand, then imported to China, where it was planted in Nyingchi, Tibet, and was further developed thanks to the special environment and grafting techniques of local farmers.

Black diamond apples are purple, shiny and have a nice texture. On the outside, the apples are as beautiful as a diamond. That’s how they got their name. Impressively, this variety needs no fertilization and has resistance to cold and natural protection against parasites and insects.

Nevertheless, they are considered rare because they grow in the highlands at 3,500 meters above sea level. They must be exposed to a lot of sunlight and ultraviolet light. These unique geographic features make one apple orchard in Nyinci an ideal natural environment for growing this apple variety.

Since 2011, the farmers have planted an orchard of about 50 hectares. In 2012, they planted apple trees, and over the next three years they worked hard to grow them. Black diamond apples arrive on the market in late October each year and sell for about two months.

In addition, only 30% of mature black apples meet strict color matching standards. Consequently, the overall production of black apples is extremely low.

Because of their exclusivity and high price, they are not the first choice for consumption by the general public. Farmers know this, so they prefer to grow other fruits that have a higher demand.

Because of the limited production of black apples, Chinese growers have decided to turn black apples into an exclusive commodity. They are mostly sold in gift packs of 6 or 8 apples. And customers who want to buy them must order in advance.