Korona

Why you should be excited

Korona is a Canadian apple related to McIntosh that was introduced in the 1980s.

The story of Korona

Kentville, Nova Scotia is one of several Canadian sites where a lot of apple breeding has been done over the decades, with several others in Ontario, one in British Columbia, plus a couple of others.

Unsurprisingly, quite a bit of this breeding – especially that undertaken in the eastern half of the country – has involved the original eastern Canadian apple, McIntosh.

Korona is one of those varieties, although, to be accurate, McIntosh is a grandparent, not a parent.

Same goes for Red Rome and Mother, Korona’s paternal grandparents. Its eating quality is reminiscent of Mac: tender white flesh is juicy, sweet and aromatic, although with an added zip of acid.

Korona Facts

Its origins:

Bred in Kentville, Nova Scotia, Canada, 1987 introduction.

Flavour, aroma, texture

The tender flesh is juicy and sweet/sharp-flavoured.

Appearance

Medium-to-large round and flattened apple with burgundy skin.

When they’re available

Mid-season (in our orchard, we expect early to mid-September).

Quality for fresh-eating

Good.

Quality for cider

Mainly used for fresh-eating.

Quality for cooking

Mainly used for fresh-eating.

Keeping ability

Limited (no more than a few weeks when kept refrigerated).