Apple Empire Semi-Dwarf 7 Gallon

Empire Apple Basics

• Origin: Developed in the 1940s at Cornell University in New York, released commercially in the 1960s.

• Parentage: A cross between McIntosh and Red Delicious.

• Color: Deep red skin, sometimes with hints of green or a purplish blush.

• Size: Medium-sized and round.

Flavor and Texture

• Taste: Sweet with a hint of tartness – well-balanced.

• Texture: Crisp and juicy, but not too hard.

• Aroma: Slightly perfumed, inherited from McIntosh.

Best Uses

• Eating fresh: A great snacking apple.

• Salads: Doesn’t brown too quickly after cutting.

• Baking: Holds its shape better than McIntosh, though not as firm as Granny Smith.

• Sauces: Makes a flavorful applesauce with a touch of sweetness.

Storage & Season

• Harvest: Typically in September to early October.

• Storage: Stores well – maintains flavor and texture in cold storage for months.

Where It’s Grown

• Primarily in New York State, but also in other apple-growing regions in the northeastern U.S. and parts of Canada.

Why People Like It

• Combines the best traits of its parents: the sweetness and color of Red Delicious with the tartness and aroma of McIntosh.

• Kid-friendly and versatile.