Williams’ Pride

Why you should be excited

Williams' Pride is a wonderful dark-red early-ripening apple that's firm, with an unusually good sweet/tart balance.

The story of Williams' Pride

Your first question might very well be: who is or was Williams? This is a reasonable question, although the answer is perhaps slightly less romantic than some old-time varieties that got their names from the farmer who stumbled upon a miraculous chance seedling that turned out to be something great.

Not that there's a lack of greatness here. Au contraire, as Williams' Pride is highly thought-of for its good flavour -- especially for an early apple -- and its ability to remain crisp and delicious for at least six weeks after harvest. This is unusual for a variety that ripens in August.

Back to Williams. That'd be Edwin B. Williams, the long-time leader of the disease-resistant apple breeding program at Purdue University. Yes, Williams' Pride is one of the apples from the noted 'PRI' co-op program (which also involves Rutgers and Illinois Universities) that has also spawned Salt Spring Apple Company favourites Pristine, GoldRush and Jonafree, among many others.

This dark red-skinned apple has an excellent balance of sugar and acid and looks great, too. It's one of a few varieties we grow that debunk the commonly-held view that early apples are second rate.

And if you doubt our word on this, just ask Professor Williams.

Williams' Pride Facts

Its origins

Bred in Indiana, USA; 1987 introduction.

Flavour, aroma, texture

Firm, with an excellent sugar/acid balance and unusually complex flavour for an early apple.

Appearance

Excellent. Medium to large in size, with dark red-coloured skin.

When they’re available

Early season (usually in late August).

Quality for fresh eating

Excellent.

Quality for cooking

Mainly used for fresh eating.

Keeping ability

So-so (up to a month when kept refrigerated).