Firestorm (Courtice)

Why you should be excited

Firestorm is a pretty fresh-eating apple of unknown parentage started from seed in British Columbia in 2002.

The story of Firestorm (Courtice)

Most modern apple varieties are named by marketing companies whose sole focus is to sell, sell, sell.

Which sets this variety apart, as it was named by a normal person (Wendy Courtice of Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley) in recognition of actual events.

Ms. Courtice lived near Kamloops, B.C. in 2003, when a devastating wildfire threatened her home, forcing her to flee, with her precious apple tree seedlings, of course.

She tended this tree over succeeding years as she moved to various locations around Canada, adamant that she was not going to abandon it.

In 2021, she generously shared cuttings so we could re-establish the variety in British Columbia.

Not to be confused with the mass marketed sport of Honeycrisp that goes by the same name.

Firestorm (Courtice) Facts

Its origins

Started from seed near Kamloops, B.C., Canada, 2002.

Flavour, aroma, texture

Sweet, juicy and crisp..

Appearance

A smallish, round, squat apple with red dappled on yellow.

When they’re available

Early season (in our orchard, we expect mid-August).

Quality for fresh eating

Good.

Quality for cooking

Mostly used for fresh eating

Quality for cider

Ditto.

Keeping ability

We’ll let you know when we find out.