Outstanding flavour begins with outstanding genetics. We are proud to announce that Malaika®, bred by Advanced Berry Breeding (ABB), has been awarded Gold at the 2026 Excellent Taste Awards in London—a prestigious recognition celebrating exceptional flavour and eating quality.
Recognition Is Earned, Not Given
The Excellent Taste Awards are designed to celebrate fruit that truly stands out, with products evaluated through blind sensory assessment by experienced food specialists. Judges assess each entry without branding or prior knowledge of the variety, ensuring that every award is based purely on the eating experience.
This year, Malaika was recognised with a Gold Award, reflecting the variety’s consistently excellent flavour and premium fruit quality. Developed by Advanced Berry Breeding, Malaika continues to demonstrate that exceptional genetics can deliver an outstanding consumer experience while meeting the commercial demands of modern raspberry production.
The Breeding Behind the Taste
Consumers may first notice a raspberry for its appearance, but it is flavour that determines whether they come back for more. In an increasingly competitive berry market, exceptional taste has become one of the strongest differentiators. For breeders, achieving that balance is no small challenge. It requires years of careful selection, testing and refinement to combine flavour with the consistency and reliability that growers and retailers depend on.
Malaika was developed with exactly that ambition. Alongside its recognised flavour, the variety is valued for its low acidity, impressive size and excellent post-harvest performance, making it a strong choice that is valued throughout the supply chain.
A Shared Success
Our award-winning raspberry was submitted by The Summer Berry Company (TSBC), whose commitment to producing premium berries helped bring Malaika to this year’s judging panel. Their expertise in cultivation and fruit production demonstrates the value of close collaboration between breeders and growers in delivering exceptional quality to consumers.
Advanced Berry Breeding congratulates the entire TSBC team on this well-deserved recognition and is proud to see Malaika receive independent recognition for its outstanding eating quality.
While awards recognise excellence today, they also inspire continued innovation for tomorrow. For ABB, this recognition is more than an award. It reflects our continued commitment to developing raspberry varieties that combine exceptional flavour with the agronomic performance needed to support sustainable, profitable production around the world.
We thank The Summer Berry Company for showcasing Malaika at the 2026 Excellent Taste Awards and congratulate the entire team on this fantastic achievement.