One of the best-flavored early apples for northern growers. The result of a 1949 breeding project that merged several of our most important hardy summer/fall varieties. From Tetofsky, its round shape and crisp tender juicy flesh. From Oriole, its fine-grained texture, subacid flavor, and its rounded medium-sized tree. From Mantet, the medium-sized fruit’s glossy red skin and all-around excellent flavor. From Duchess, its productive and precocious nature, and its excellent culinary quality.

From all these ancestors comes its great hardiness. It has reportedly survived and fruited after temperatures of –40°. Keeps well for a summer apple. Ripens in time for the Minnesota State Fair (Aug. 24-Sept. 4 in 2017). Z3