Spartan Apple About 0.2 Kg Each • $6.59 / Kg Final Cost By Weigh

The **Spartan apple** is a popular and historic cultivar, primarily known for its balanced flavor and crisp texture. Here is a summary of the Spartan apple: ### Key Characteristics * **Origin:** Developed in Canada at the Federal Agriculture Research Station in Summerland, British Columbia, and introduced in 1936. It is notable for being one of the first apples produced from a formal scientific breeding program. * **Parentage:** It is a cross of **McIntosh** with an unknown parent (previously thought to be Newtown Pippin). * **Appearance:** Medium-sized with a characteristic **deep red to purplish-red blush** that can cover most of the fruit, sometimes showing patches of yellow-green underneath. * **Flesh:** **Crisp, juicy, and bright white.** It tends to have a fine texture and holds up well when bitten. * **Flavor Profile:** It offers a pleasant **sweet and tart balance**, often described as having an aromatic, "vinous" (wine-like), or berry-like flavor, a noticeable improvement on the McIntosh's tendency to be too soft. ### Culinary Uses The Spartan is considered a versatile, all-purpose apple. * **Fresh Eating:** It is an excellent dessert or eating apple, especially when eaten fresh off the tree, due to its crispness and balanced flavor. It's often a favorite for children because of its size and sweetness. * **Baking/Cooking:** Its firm flesh **holds its shape well** when cooked, making it a good choice for pies, crisps, and baking, retaining both its structure and flavor. * **Juicing:** It produces a sweet and refreshing juice. ### Availability and Storage * **Harvest Time:** Typically harvested in late September or early October. * **Storage:** It is considered a good "keeper" and can be stored for several months in cool, refrigerated conditions, though its crispness is best when eaten soon after harvest.