Apples : Apples of the ‘90s

Thirteen of the most promising new varieties are listed here according to harvest date. The earliest are usually the sweetest; the late ones, higher in acid, tend to be the keepers.

1. Akane.

DESCRIPTION: Bright red over yellow, firm white flesh, aromatic, crisp with a slightly tart flavor.

ORIGIN: Japan, 1939. Jonathan crossed with Worcester Pearmain.

USE: Fresh.

AVAILABILITY: Late August to late September.

2. Gala.

DESCRIPTION: Scarlet striped over yellow, dense, aromatic flesh, semisweet; Royal Gala is a red strain.

ORIGIN: Bred in New Zealand, 1934. Kidd’s Orange Red crossed with Golden Delicious. Selected 1939, introduced 1960, named 1965.

USE: Fresh.

AVAILABILITY: September to December.

3. Elstar.

DESCRIPTION: Bright red over yellow, sweet-tart flavor, crisp, firm white flesh, very tangy.

ORIGIN: Bred Holland 1955. Golden Delicious crossed with Ingrid Marie.

USE: Fresh.

AVAILABILITY: September to December.

4. Liberty.

DESCRIPTION: Wine red, crisp and juicy, tart flavor.

ORIGIN: Bred Geneva, N.Y. Macoun crossed with PRI 54-12.

USE: Fresh.

AVAILABILITY: Early to mid-October.

5. Jonamac.

DESCRIPTION: Red, medium size, refreshing tart flavor.

ORIGIN: Bred Geneva, N.Y., 1968, introduced 1972. Jonathan crossed with McIntosh.

USE: Fresh.

AVAILABILITY: Mid-September to October.

6. Empire.

DESCRIPTION: Dark red skin with distinct stripes, aromatic, crisp texture, juicy flesh, mild flavor, excellent keeping qualities.

ORIGIN: Geneva, N.Y. 1966. McIntosh crossed with Red Delicious.

USE: Fresh and sauce.

AVAILABILITY: September to spring with storage.

7. Spartan.

DESCRIPTION: Mahogany-red skin, medium, almost round, juicy white flesh, crisp and aromatic.

ORIGIN: Summerland, B.C., Canada.

USE: Fresh and sauce.

AVAILABILITY: Late September to mid-October.

8. Jonagold.

DESCRIPTION: Yellow overlaid with red, large, crisp, sweet and tangy flavor, stores very well.

ORIGIN: Geneva, N.Y., selected 1943, introduced 1968. Golden Delicious crossed with Jonathan.

USE: All-purpose.

AVAILABILITY: September to January plus controlled-atmosphere storage.

9. Melrose.

DESCRIPTION: Red with a yellow background, large, firm, crisp and juicy flesh, keeps well in storage.

ORIGIN: Ohio, named 1944. Jonathan crossed with Delicious.

USE: Cooking, all-purpose.

AVAILABILITY: Late October to April with storage.

10. Mutsu/Crispin.

DESCRIPTION: Large, yellow-green, very crisp, coarse flesh, sweet, spicy flavor, excellent for storage.

ORIGIN: Japan, 1948. Golden Delicious crossed with Indo.

USE: All-purpose.

AVAILABILITY: Late October to April with storage.

11. Criterion.

DESCRIPTION: Large, golden green with pink blush, sweet, firm flesh.

ORIGIN: Chance seedling near Wapato, Wash., assumed to be Red Delicious crossed with Golden Delicious or with Winter Banana.

USE: All-purpose.

AVAILABILITY: October to spring.

12. Braeburn.

DESCRIPTION: Green with red blush, medium to large fruit with firm, crisp, tangy, light green flesh.

ORIGIN: Chance seedling New Zealand, 1952.

USE: Fresh.

AVAILABILITY: Early fall and from Southern Hemisphere in spring.

13. Fuji.

DESCRIPTION: Ranges from yellow green with red highlights to nearly solid red, crisp, mildly sweet, stores very well.

ORIGIN: Japan, selected 1939, introduced 1958, named 1962.

USE: Fresh or all-purpose.

AVAILABILITY: Early to mid-October.