Apple of the Week: Empire

I chose the Empire as this week's apple of the week because I tried one -- on the recommendation of a coworker -- last weekend and was thoroughly impressed!  It was crunchy, with a near-audible "pop!" when you bite into it.  The flesh is crisp and buttery, and it's sweet without being too sweet.  Andrew L. says the Empire crop is phenomenal this year at the farm, so enjoy these beauties while we have them!

 Empire apples are red, juicy, firm, crunchy and sweet. They ripen during September and October, and will keep until January.  The original seed was a cross between the varieties McIntosh and Red Delicious. Empire apples are an excellent all-purpose apple for eating and salads, and good for sauce, baking, pies and freezing. It is an ideal lunch-box apple, not least because it does not bruise easily.
Empire apples were first developed in the 1940's at the Agriculture Experiment Station by Cornell University's Geneva breeding program.  In 1966 they were introduced to the market place and given their name as homage to the Empire State they were created in, New York.  They pair well with pear, pumpkin, sharp cheeses, and warm spices such as ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Holy heck these apple fritters look good: Royal Empire Apple Fritters

They pair well with pumpkin, pear, sharp cheeses and warm spices such as ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg. - See more at: http://www.specialtyproduce.com/produce/Empire_Apples_2563.php#sthash.xLabehzc.dpuf

They pair well with pumpkin, pear, sharp cheeses and warm spices such as ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg. - See more at: http://www.specialtyproduce.com/produce/Empire_Apples_2563.php#sthash.xLabehzc.dpuf

They pair well with pumpkin, pear, sharp cheeses and warm spices such as ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg. - See more at: http://www.specialtyproduce.com/produce/Empire_Apples_2563.php#sthash.xLabehzc.dpuf

Empire apples were first developed in the 1940’s at the Agricultural Experiment Station by Cornell University’s Geneva breeding program. In 1966 they were introduced to the market place and given their name as homage to the Empire State they were created in, New York. Empire apples are harvested in apple growing regions around the United States and Canada.
- See more at: http://www.specialtyproduce.com/produce/Empire_Apples_2563.php#sthash.xLabehzc.dpuf