Apples Grown in Ontario

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Ambrosia
Use: This handful (one of the larger apples) tastes best when freshly picked. It's crisp but at the same time juicy and sweet with a low acid flavour.
Great to pack in lunches, it originated from a chance seeding discovered in B.C. in the 1980s.
Available: October to March

Crispin
Use: This large variety is a cross between the Golden Delicious and the Japanese Indo. Its testure is firm and its taste ranges from being a tad tart to sweet. A good pick for pies or chunky sauces for pork and ham.
Available: October to April

Cortland
Use: A direct descendant from the popular McIntosh, as well as being "crossed" with the Ben Davis apple, it features a large globular shape with distinct red-orange stripes. It has a mild taste and crisp texture. It's perfect for salads and fruit plates because it resists ugly browning common with other varieties. A good bet for pies and sauces.
Available: October to April

Empire
Use: It you want to make an applesauce that can't be beat, be on the lookout for the Empire. It's a cross between the McIntosh and Red Delicious and is slightly tart, juicy, firm and crisp. Popular for snacking.
Available: October to July

Fuji
Use: A cross between a Delicious and Ralls Janet. It's medium to large in size and very firm. Its skin is a distinct greenish pink with white flesh. best eaten fresh.
Available: Late October until early February

Gala
Use: A Great general purpose snacking apple, the Gala is a cross between a Kidd's orange Red and a Golden Delicious. Average size with a distinct yellow-orange hue on a red blush.
Available: September and as late as February

Golden Delicious
Use: A real crowd pleaser, this popular variety originated as a chance seedling in West Virginia and was introduced to the world in 1916. If you're baking a Thanksgiving or Christmas pie, this is the one. The slices can endure extreme heat and remain firm with their shape intact. This is another great choice for applesauce.
Available: October to May

Honeycrisp
Use: The slightly acidic but sweet Honeycrisp is another one best eaten fresh. The large fruit is a cross between a Macoun and Honeygold and is crisp in texture, juicy with a wonderful aroma. Its flesh has a distinctive cream colour.
Available: Late September to March

Idared
Use: Another "go-to" apple for bakers, the Idared keeps its wonderful taste even after high temperatures. It's a tart snack for those who realize there's more to life than sugary treats. This cross between a Jonathan and Wegener.
Available: December to July

Jona Gold
Use: This apple, with a round to round/conical appearance, is firm with a slightly coarse texture (good for baking).
It's a colourful variety with an orange-red to red blush over faint striping and green-yellow ground colour. Popular for snacking and a cross between a Golden Delicious and Jonathan.
Available: Late September all the way to February, but there's never a large supply

McIntosh
Use: Originated in 1800 as a chance seedling by John McIntosh of Dundela, Ont., this popular apple has become well known for its versatility. It's a first choice for bakers, for those who love a tasty applesauce and is in high demand for simple snacking. It's a medium size variety - green with red splash - featuring an irregular round shape. It has a white juicy flesh and stars off mildly tart and sweetens as it becomes ripe.
Available: Mid September-May

Northern Spy
Use: This large, crisp, firm variety is distinguished by its bright red stripes and elongated shape. A great choice for a warm, oven-baked apple (with or without sugar). Also great for pies.
Available: October to May

Red Delicious
Not highly recommended for baking or cooking but it's one of the most popular salad varieties around. It's a large apple (dark red with an elongated shape) that can be easily cut into firm sections that are sweet and juicy.
Available: October to July

Red Prince
It you like a nice tangy, sweet specimen with a crisp texture, the Red Prince is a great choice. This is another great apple to cut up into salads or to use in baking.
Available: February to June

Russet
One of the oldest Ontario varieties, the Russet is very popular in Europe. It's sweet and tangy, great as a fresh snack and ideal for pie filling and applesauce, too. It's found more on farmer stands than grocery stores.
Available: October to January

Spartan
This delicious cross between the McIntosh and Newton originated in British Columbia.
It's of medium size, red variety and makes a great filling for a variety of baked goods and is also a popular snack.
Available: October to April

Source: Ontario Apple Growers

from Toronto Star on September 27, 2013