On our Big Show Big Tour this week, while we were being chauffeured from business to business to hand out freebies and shake hands, co-host Blair and I got into an amazingly effortless and deep discussion about apples and apple varieties.
Apple lovers really love their apples! To my taste buds Honey Crisp is hands-down the best but they’re also usually a lot more expensive than other types. My late Mother-in-law’s favourite was Royal Gala and they’re pretty good too. Blair and I agreed that McIntosh can’t be trusted. They range anywhere from sweet to bitter. And a mushy Red Delicious can ruin your whole day.
Yesterday the head of the Ontario Apple Growers Association said we are about to feel the pinch of last year’s poor apple yield. After weeks of nice weather, last April the overnight temperature plunged to -8C on one weekend and it killed the tender buds. Ontario’s apple production fell by almost 80% resulting in a $50-million loss to growers.
We’ll still have apples to buy but they’ll be imported from the US. They’ll cost more and frankly, they’re often not as crunchy once they’ve taken a long truck ride to the store.
Mother Nature – or is it Old Man Winter? – has been doing weird stuff again this month. Deep freezes followed by spring-like thaws. Buds are coming up on some trees and nature is confused. All I’d like to have is a fresh, locally-grown apple a day. There doesn’t appear to be a solution. It just it what it is and it’s a little disappointing.
Hi Lisa. An interesting subject, apples. I have been buying a 4 lb bag @ No Frills, $4.99, part of the name is Market, and I believe they are Empire, I will double check the next time there. They also have MacIntosh, never been a fan of them. Normally I would only buy loose, but have the time now to cook them if necessary, we really like them. My favourite is Golden Delicious, but have to be careful they aren’t mushy. Ontario Red/Golden Delicious in the fall are great!