Cortland Apple Small

The **Cortland** is a cold-hardy heirloom apple, developed in New York in 1898 from a cross between the **McIntosh** and the Ben Davis apple. It is a highly versatile apple, famous primarily for one distinguishing characteristic. * **Appearance:** Typically a **medium to large** apple with a rounded, slightly flattened shape. The skin is a glossy, **deep red or purplish blush** over a pale yellow or green background, often with darker red stripes. * **Taste and Texture:** It has a **tender, juicy, and crisp** texture. The flavor is a desirable blend of **sweet with a hint of tartness** (often described as subacid), sometimes carrying faint notes of strawberry or rose petal. * **Key Feature (Browning Resistance):** The Cortland is most celebrated for its **snow-white flesh** that is **resistant to browning** (oxidation) when cut. This makes it the go-to choice for: * Fruit salads * Slicing for fruit plates and charcuterie boards * Garnishes * **Uses:** It is an excellent **all-purpose apple**, well-suited for eating fresh, baking (it holds its shape well in pies), making sauce (which sometimes has a pink tinge), and cider. Since you asked about a **small** Cortland apple, while the variety is typically medium to large, smaller fruits can occur naturally on the tree. The smaller size is usually best for fresh snacking or using as miniature garnishes.