A timeless taste. Takes you straight back to those syrupy days of youth, eating apples on your grandma’s front verandah with a kingfisher on the clothes line and Roger Whittaker on the wireless.
The first Braeburn was a ‘sport’—a chance seedling growing in a hedgerow in the Braeburn area of Nelson in the 1950s. It took some time to catch on, but was championed by a small group of Nelson growers, and began to be widely planted in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It is one of the very best keeping varieties, but it's depth of flavour is what made it an international sensation. It beat typical supermarket apples (bred for looks) with a return to the classic apple flavour. Braeburn and Royal Gala are parents to another Aotearoa NZ-bred variety, the Jazz.
Braeburn comes in 330ml & 2L
Not for the Ponsonby Dandies who like their cider sweet, this green Granny bites with a crisp tartiness that keeps on giving. All others pale in its unadulterated glory.
The original Granny Smith apple was a ‘sport’—a random hybrid discovered by Maria Smith in 1868, growing in her compost heap in Sydney’s Eastwood. It likely sprang from the dregs of Tasmania-grown French Crab apples she’d brought home from the local market. It took some years to catch on, but Aussie apple exports went through the roof after WWI due to the Granny Smith’s outstanding keepability, and Aotearoa NZ got into the variety. It’s a very good cooking apple; sharp and uncompromising to the bite—very refreshing served chilled.
Granny Smith comes in 330ml & 2L
The appley appleness of this juicy beauty conjures visions of Huckleberry Finn laying on a hillock contemplating shapes in the clouds. A smooth, caramel flavour with a touch of peachiness.
The Royal Gala is a classic kiwi invention. It’s a 1970s ‘sport’— a naturally occurring hybrid of the Gala. The original Gala was bred in 1934 using hand-pollination by James Hutton Kidd on his 20-acre orchard right here in Greytown. Kidd was an avid and successful apple breeder and businessman having earlier developed Kidd’s Orange Red and selling the rights for a hefty £2000. He crossed this with Golden Delicious and Gala was among the results. The Jazz (a more recent Aotearoa NZ variety) counts Royal Gala and Braeburn as it’s ancestors.
Royal Gala comes in 330ml & 2L
If the gods were lounging around on Mt Olympus wondering how to concoct a sweet and intoxicating elixir to seduce the mere mortals on the ground floor, this would be it.
New Zealand Rose is a child of Gala and Spendour. It can be a little tricky to grow due to its thin skin and open calyx—the star shaped remnant of the blossom on the underside of an apple. This variety was developed in Aotearoa New Zealand by ENZA™ in the 1990s and has been a sought after sensation ever since. In 1997 it was the subject of awkward controversy when a visiting Chinese horticultural delegation was about to leave the country, but got caught by customs with 15 budwood cuttings hidden in their underpants.
New Zealand Rose comes in 330ml & 2L
Once upon a short winter window each year, pears drip from the trees and Mela makes nectar like bliss. No concentrate here! Just fresh picked seasonal fruits.
The apple and pear varieties used in this bottle can greatly affect the taste! Check the back imprint to see what’s inside.
Apple + Pear comes in 330ml & 2L
When you mix a tart spritz of kiwifruit with fresh pressed NZ apples you get a thrilling burst of down home-ness. This mixture is an alchemy made in heaven.
The apple variety used in this bottle can greatly affect the taste! Check the back imprint to see what’s inside.
Apple Juice + Kiwifruit comes in 330ml & 2L
Magical blackcurrants balanced with fresh pressed apple... this is the gold medal Pinot Noir of the juice world. It’s sweet but crisp with a hint of strawberries.
The apple variety used in this bottle can greatly affect the taste! Check the back imprint to see what’s inside.
Apple Juice + Blackcurrant comes in 330ml & 2L
The ultimate classic juice combo. By using an enchanting blend of fresh pressed apples and scrumdiddly-umptious orange juice Mela really have hit one out of the ol’ apple shed with this one.
The apple variety used in this bottle can greatly affect the taste! Check the back imprint to see what’s inside.
