WHAT’S IN THE ORCHARD?

Norfolk County is one of Ontario’s top apple-producing regions, with dozens of varieties to try. Let’s take a stroll through the orchard and sample a few.

THE HARBINGERS

The apple harvest starts in late August with early varieties like Paula Red, Sunrise, Zestar and Ginger Gold. Each has a mildly tart flavour and can be enjoyed fresh or in sauce.

THE OLD GUARD

Red Delicious was once the gold standard for sweetness, but the iconic red apple is now dismissed in many culinary corners for its bland flavour and spongy texture. Empire and McIntosh apples are still grown in abundance, but as slightly tart apples, their days in the sun may be numbered.

THE SWEETEST THING

Sweet, crisp apples are all the rage these days, which makes Ambrosia, Gala and Honeycrisp perennial favourites to eat fresh or use in baking. Crispin and “supersweet” Fuji are late-October options for those who prefer their apples naturally candied, while the more mellow Golden Delicious makes for a delicious applesauce.

A BITE OF NOSTALGIA

Decades or even centuries old, heritage apples can evoke memories with every bite. Favourites grown locally in small quantities include Golden Russet, Tolman Sweet and Gravenstein.

EYES ON THE PIES

Some enjoy eating Cortland, Spartan and Northern Spy apples raw, but these hardy apples more often make perfect pie filling. Tangy-sweet Jonagold or tart Idared can add complexity to a crisp or crumble.

UP-AND-COMERS

Whether emerging naturally or bred in the orchard, new apple varieties come in every colour and taste profile. Shoppers can try Hidden Rose, Snowsweet, Crimson Crisp, Golden Smoothie, Silken and more. Marketing matters when naming new varieties, as seen in new arrivals EverCrisp and Ludacrisp.