Available: Early September

Taste: Mildly tart and Sweet

Use: All Purpose

History:

Empire is a cross between McIntosh and Red Delicious. It is redder and firmer than McIntosh, and because it stores longer it provides the marketplace with a McIntosh-type apple that can be enjoyed for a much longer time. Some claim that Empire's flavor improves during storage.  In 1989 24 leading international apple researchers were polled as to what they considered the 10 best apple varieties in the world, and they ranked Empire No. 7. It is becoming a favorite in the United Kingdom, which imports much of its supply from Michigan. Demand for Empires is steadily growing in the United States as well.