By Marie-Antoinette Issa.
Spring is the perfect season to take a big bite out of the new season’s Envy apples. Alongside delivering more than 4.5 million kilograms of this sweet, shiny fruit to supermarkets and greengrocers nationwide, this year, Montague Farms - one of Australia’s leading fresh produce growers - has also teamed up with Surry Hills’ playful Japanese-Italian eatery, Ito Restaurant, for a special two-week dessert from August 17-31.
With both crisp, juicy apples and inventive restaurant flair on the menu, the results are absolutely ripe for the picking.
Opened in late 2023 under the ESCA Group, Ito transformed the old Cuckoo Callay space into a warm, modern izakaya. Inside, Tasmanian blackwood and Tokyo-inspired lines mix with colourful touches, while Head Chef Erik Ortolani - whose culinary roots include Nobu and Cho Cho San - continues to bring finesse and creativity to every dish.
With a Chef’s Hat already on its mantle, Ito is the perfect partner for Montague’s premium fruit, turning Envy apples into a dessert highlight you’ll want to sink your teeth into.
Grown in some of Australia’s most enviable apple regions - Stanthorpe in Queensland, Batlow in New South Wales, the Yarra Valley in Victoria and Tasmania’s Huon Valley - Envy apples soak up rich soil, generous rainfall and warm Summer sunshine before being hand-picked at their peak.
According to Rowan Little, Montague’s Head of Strategy and Innovation: "We are seeing exceptional colour and quality this season.”
The Envy isn’t just a feast for the eyes - it’s a showstopper that can turn ordinary moments into something worth crowing about. Feeling peckish at 3 pm? A crisp slice will give you the push to power through the day.
Hosting a weekend brunch? Envy apples shine on a cheese platter with creamy Brie, jazz up a crunchy noodle and Envy apple salad or star in a warming dish like Japanese chicken and Envy apple curry.
For a limited time, you can taste the apple’s full Springtime glory plated with Ito’s signature flair in the dessert creation. It’s fruit and fun on a plate, with a twist that’s truly the apple of every foodie’s eye.
Born from a New Zealand cross between Braeburn and Royal Gala, Envy has all the sweetness and charm you could ask for, with none of the tang. Its consistently white flesh keeps it looking pristine on any plate - no browning drama here.
Whether it’s gracing a grazing board, starring in a tart, or taking centre stage in Ito’s dessert, Envy is proof that beauty and flavour can go hand in hand - or in this case, fork to mouth.
Montague Farms has been cultivating Envy in Australia since 2017 and demand has grown every year. Sweet, crisp and endlessly versatile, it’s a favourite with Chefs and home cooks alike.
From Woolworths to Coles, Costco and selected greengrocers, you don’t have to travel far to grab one - but for a truly unforgettable taste of Spring, Ito’s dessert is so irresistible it’s enough to make anyone green with envy.
