Vista Bella

Why you should be excited

Vista Bella is a delicious early apple that offers the first taste of the season to impatient apple fans.

The story of Vista Bella

A classic early apple, Vista Bella offers plenty of assets, while also bringing the typical early apple liabilities.

Developed at Rutgers University back in the 1950s, this is a crisp, tart and remarkably rich-flavoured apple for one harvested so early (July in most climates).

Yes, you need to live with the fact that it doesn’t keep well at all, but how many other bright red, ripe, local apples can you find in July? That’s right: not many.

Year after year, Vista Bella is about the best early hint of what’s to come as it trumpets the start to yet another fine apple season.

Vista Bella Facts

Its origins

Bred at Rutgers University, New Jersey, USA, 1970s introduction.

Flavour, aroma, texture

Fresh from the tree, it's crisp, tart and surprisingly full-flavoured for such an early apple.

Appearance

A pretty, medium-sized apple with a bright red flush on a light yellow-green background.

When they’re available

Very early season (usually in July).

Quality for fresh eating

Very good.

Quality for cooking

Mainly for fresh eating.

Keeping ability

Poor (eat it within a few days of harvest, or you'll regret it).