Freedom

Why you should be excited

Freedom is a pretty red apple that leaps into prominence as soon as you bite into its tender, juicy flesh.

The story of Freedom

If you suspected there might be a connection between apple varieties named Liberty and Freedom that happen to share a few other key characteristics, you're right.

They're siblings in the sense that they were bred at the same time, excellent results of the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station's apple tree breeding program. Both also happen to have good disease resistance and are highly productive.

Freedom looks nice -- a red blush on yellow-green background -- and offers firm, tender, juicy flesh that scores well in taste tests. People consider its subacid flavour to be "sprightly."

In fact, Freedom rates well in almost every area, including its appearance and large size, the vigorousness of the tree, its usefulness both for fresh eating and cooking and the solid three months that it'll keep after harvest every October, if properly stored.

From an organic grower's perspective, it doesn't hurt any that Freedom is highly resistant to most apple tree diseases, so it's relatively easy to get away with not spraying noxious chemicals all over the orchard.

Freedom Facts

Its origins

Bred in Geneva, New York, USA; 1983 introduction.

Flavour, aroma, texture

Firm, tender and juicy, with a sprightly sub-acid flavour.

Appearance

Very good. Large, with bright red skin colour on a yellow background.

When they’re available

Late season (usually in mid to late October).

Quality for fresh eating

Good.

Quality for cooking

Good.

Quality for cider

Good.The juicy Freedom is considered a solid contributor to modern North American ciders.

Keeping ability

Good (up to 3 months or more when kept refrigerated).