Apple Varieties
Honeycrisp
1991 Minnesota
Cross between Maccoun and Keepsake
Red on top of a yellow background
The best new variety on the market
Developed as a cold climate apple, Canada is one of the best areas in the world to grow this apple
Extremely crunchy, this apple has unbelievable water content
Eating this apple releases so much juice it feels like you are drinking from a glass of cider
Royal Gala
1934 New Zealand
Cross between Golden Delicious and Kidds Orange Red
The number one selling variety in the world
Orange to Crimson striped with a yellow background
Super sweet in flavour this apple is one of the best snacking apples
It also seems to always store well, providing a crunchy eating experience
Mcintosh
1811 Dundas, Ontario
Named after the man that discovered it as a chance seedling in his orchard
Green with a red cheek in color
The King of Canadian apples
No other apple has its distinctive tart flavour
As it ripens it gets even sweeter
Can be used for baking but really is best as a snack
Ida Red
1850 Idaho
Chance seedling
Red color solid or striped
Creamy white flesh
Formerly a popular eating apple that is overlooked now because of its tendency to go soft if not stored properly
However it has enjoyed a resurgence of popularity as storage practices have improved to the point where we can offer great tasting reds on a consistent basis
Golden Delicious
1890 West Virginia
An old variety that stands on its own
Known for its golden color
Firm, flesh that is sweet
Containing less water than other apples makes this a great baking apple
Almost the best choice for applesauce that is full of texture and flavour
1916 New York State
Cross between MacIntosh and Ben Davis
A dark red to almost purple apple with green stripes
Known for it low acidity it is a very easy apple to digest
Great for salads because when sliced it does not brown very quickly
Generally good for most baking endeavours
Cortland
Mutsu/Crispin
From Japan 1930
This apple is a cross between Golden Delicious and Indo
A green apple that ripens to a yellow color
Its flesh is yellow-white, firm, juicy and crisp
Great for baking and eating fresh
When cooked the apple slices will remain firm and not lose their shape
A great all-purpose apple
Available from September right through to August
Empire
1966 New York State
Cross between MacIntosh and Red Delicious
Round and dark red in color
Also a low acid variety similar to the Cortland
Primarily an eating apple
Not the best baking apple as the flesh tends to turn very soft and textureless when baked.
However because it water content is high can be a great choice for juice or cider
Available early October until July
Fuji
1962 Japan
Cross between Delicious and Ralls Janet
Brown to pink in color
Its best characteristics are that it is usually very hard, sweet and full of water
It also stores very well
Good for all applications
Matures late October and is available until June
Jonagold
1968 Geneva
Cross between Jonathon and Golden Delicious
Large fruit , red on yellow
Firm and sweet, it is great for eating fresh
Also a good choice for pies and applesauce
Available from September through January
Red Delicious
1850 Idaho
Chance seedling
Red color solid or striped
Creamy white flesh
Formerly a popular eating apple that is overlooked now because of its tendency to go soft if not stored properly
However it has enjoyed a resurgence of popularity as storage practices have improved to the point where we can offer great tasting reds on a consistent basis
Available from September until July
Dates back to the middle ages in Europe - could even be much older
Brown in color with a skin that is rough and textured like sandpaper
The most firm and dry of all apples, it is loved for its sweet, unusual flavour
Hard to grow, many farms do not select it as a planting choice, making it a rare apple to find in your local stores
Available September through February
Russet
1800 New York
Green with red blush and stripes
Firm and tart, this is the very best apple for baking
When frozen, it will maintain its shape and texture in the pie after it is thawed
Due to its thin, delicate skin, it will bruise easily which does not matter when you are peeling them anyway
Available from mid-October until February
Northern Spy
Crimson Crisp
1971 New Jersey
An amazing sweet/ tart apple
Excellent choice for an eating apple
Incredibly firm and crunchy
Vibrant dark red colour
Related to other varieties such as; Rome, Jonathan, and Golden Delicious
Salish
Released to the market in 2012
Developed in British Columbia
Sweet and delicious apple
Handles and stores well
Related to Gala and Splendour
Pazazz
A new strain from the family of Honeycrisp
Has its own unique look and taste
Very sweet, tart and crunchy
Has good storage characteristics
Grown in Nova Scotia
Originally from the Netherlands
This apple is grown in the Georgian Bay Area
It was developed as a cross between a Jonathan and Golden Delicious
It is an extremely hard apple with a dark red colour and a tangy taste