Red Canada

Why you should be excited

Red Canada is a virtually-forgotten old New England fresh-eating apple that was once highly respected.

The story of Red Canada

As if my country didn’t already have an inferiority complex, we have two apple varieties with the word ‘Canada’ in their names and neither originated in Canada.

There’s Reinette du Canada, from France and this variety, which came from the U.S. northeast and achieved considerable popularity early in the 19th century.

Start with its rich red colour, follow with its hearty size and then top it off with firm, fine-grained flesh that’s juicy, flavourful and aromatic.

Oh, yes, it also keeps well and the tree is moderately vigorous.

In short, Red Canada is a high-quality apple about which nobody knows.

Maybe it’s time for Canadians to adopt it and make it our own?

Red Canada Facts

Its origins:

Discovered in the northeast USA, sometime in the early 19th century.

Flavour, aroma, texture

Firm, fine-grained, juicy, flavourful and aromatic.

Appearance

Medium to large-sized with rich red over yellow skin.

When they’re available

Late season (in our orchard: late September).

Quality for fresh eating

Good.

Quality for cider

Good.

Quality for cooking

Good for drying.

Keeping ability

Very good (up to 5 months if kept refrigerated).