A new apple is being launched today - and it has nothing to do with mobile phones, computers or watches.

The Cosmic Crisp, now on sale in the US, is a new variety of the fruit which took more than two decades to develop and allegedly lasts for up to a year in the fridge.

The apple is called Cosmic Crisp because of the bright yellowish dots on its skin, which look like distant stars.

Image: The apple is called Cosmic Crisp because of the bright yellowish dots on its skin, which look like distant stars

The launch of the apple cost $10.5m (£8.1m).

Farmers in the state of Washington - which produces two-thirds of the United States' apples - have the exclusive right to grow the variety for the next 10 years.


The trees take three years to produce a crop.

Aaron Clark of Yakima, whose family owns several orchards in central Washington and has planted 80 acres of the variety, said: "I've never seen an apple prettier in the orchard than these things are."

Toni Lynn Adams, spokeswoman for the Washington Apple Commission, which markets apples internationally, said: "A new apple brings excitement.

"A new variety can reinvigorate a market and industry."

Image: The trees take three years to produce a crop

Work on developing the variety began in 1997.

Kate Evans, who co-led the apple's breeding programme at Washington State University, said: "It's ultra-crisp, very juicy and has a good balance of sweetness and tartness."

She said the fruit "maintains excellent eating quality in refrigerated storage - easily for 10 to 12 months".

"The goal, in my opinion, is to get more consumers eating apples," she said.

"Ultimately that is the goal of any plant breeder."