Hampshire

Flavor: Crisp, balanced sweet-tart

Approximate Ripening: Late September

Uses: Eating, all-purpose cooking, hard cider

Trivia: This McIntosh-type apple was discovered in 1978 as a chance seedling by Erick Leadbeater of Contoocook, NH.  It was introduced to market in 1990.

Notes: Hampshire carries a flavor that mixes the tartness of McIntosh, the sweetness of Red Delicious, and a little Cortland spiciness.  It’s crisper than McIntosh, the apple it most resembles, so McIntosh fans are well advised to seek out Hampshire.