Best Canadian Apple Types
Ambrosia is an apple variety originating from British Columbia, Canada, when it was discovered in the early 1990s. It's believed to be a cross between Golden Delicious and Jonagold. The apples are medium to large in size, while the skin is golden-yellow with pink and red blushes.
The flesh is light yellow in color and its texture is crisp, tender, and juicy. The flavors are sweet with low acidity and notes of honey. Available in the fall, Ambrosia apples are usually used in the preparation of cakes, muffins, pies, and tarts, but they're also often used raw, sliced thinly and added to salads or burgers.
McIntosh is an apple variety with origins in Dundela, Upper Canada in 1811, when it was discovered by John McIntosh, hence the name. Commercial production started in 1870. These apples have a vivid red color brushed with bright green blushes and often white spots.
The flavor varies depending on when the apples have been picked – those picked in early winter will be slightly sweeter than those picked in fall, which have a strong sweet and tart flavor with hints of spice. The texture of the flesh is crisp and juicy.
Spartan is a Canadian apple variety that's been developed in 1936 in British Columbia by Dr. R. C. Palmer. Its identity is still a mystery, and all that's known is that these apples are a hybrid of McIntosh and an unknown apple variety.
The apples are bright red to dark purple red in color. The flesh is white, and its texture is very juicy. The flavors are sweet, tart, and aromatic, but they become sweeter once stored in a cold place. Available in fall and early winter, Spartans are typically used in cooking and the preparation of desserts because the flesh holds its shape well once cooked.
Nova Easygro is a Canadian apple variety that was introduced in 1971 in Nova Scotia as a cross between Spartan and PRI 565 varieties. These apples are large and have a green to yellow background with reddish stripes. Beneath the skin, the texture of the flesh is crisp, juicy, and firm, while the flavor is sweet.
When first picked, in late fall, the apples are slightly tough, but their tenderness develops in storage. It’s recommended to use Nova Easygro as dessert apples. These apples appeared on the market about the same time as apples with catchier names such as Liberty, Freedom, and McIntosh, hence their lower popularity with buyers and consumers.
Golden Nugget is a North American apple variety that was created in Kentville, Nova Scotia as a cross between Cox’s Orange Pippin and Golden Russet. The apple was created in 1932 and released in 1964. It’s small to medium in size, while the flesh is crisp and juicy in texture.
The flavor is sweet and sugary, and although the creators thought that it would make for a great dessert apple, the commercial success was hindered by the apple’s small size. Golden Nuggets ripen in fall, and they’re mostly used for baking, frying, and cider making.
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