Apples of Cortlands type have a flavor profile that is sweet and sour, but it is not quite as tangy as a McIntosh.
Their level of juiciness is somewhere in the middle.
The white flesh of this apple, which has a deep, purplish red exterior with yellow streaks and browns very gradually when sliced, makes Cortlands an excellent choice for use in salads or to accompany cheese.
Cortland apple
Apple production in the United States places the Cortland variety somewhere around the 12th spot, and this apple is a typical McIntosh-style apple.
However, almost all of that production takes place in the state of New York, almost within sight of Cornell University, which is where the process was developed in 1898 and first introduced in 1915.
Cortland is also grown extensively across the border in Quebec and Ontario, and it has shown that it is well-suited to the freezing temperatures that are experienced around the Great Lakes.
When eaten shortly after being picked, the Cortland variety of McIntosh apples tastes the most delicious.
This is true of all McIntosh varieties.
Both the crispness and the sweetness end up disappearing very quickly.
The flesh of a Cortland apple does not turn brown after being cut very quickly, which is an interesting quality to look for in a variety of apples.
Cortland apple benefits
The cutout photo in our description is of a Cortland apple grown in the United Kingdom, whereas the other photos are from the United States of America and Canada.
This contrast demonstrates how the sunny but cold autumn climate of North America produces a better color than the cloudy mild climate of the United Kingdom.
The sweet, white flesh and red skin of the McIntosh apple are passed down to the Cortland variety, which was one of the first apple varieties to be developed from the popular McIntosh apple.
On the other hand, the Cortland apple is notably larger, and when picked at the peak of ripeness, its flavor has the potential to be more robust while retaining a perfumed quality.
Since the cut slices do not quickly turn brown, this apple is great for eating fresh and also works well in both sweet and savory salads.
Because they are able to maintain their form even after being cooked, Cortlands are an excellent choice for pies.
These apples, which have a reddish-purple blush, have a juice that is mostly sweet with just a touch of sourness.
Its white flesh turns brown much more slowly than the flesh of other varieties, which makes it an excellent choice for raw preparations such as salads and fruit plates.
Cortland apple best
It is also a good apple for baking, particularly pies.
After the numerous qualities of the McIntosh were discovered, plant breeders started crossing it with other varieties in order to improve its characteristics.
The "Cortland" was one of the earliest of them all.
It has a flush of crimson against a pale yellow or green background that is sprinkled with short, dark red stripes and gray-green dots, and it has a flavor that is sweet in comparison to McIntosh.
In addition, it has a distinct appearance.
It prevents the flesh from turning brown and is white in color.
Cortland apple features
Apples of the Cortland variety were first developed as a cultivar in the year 1898 at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, New York, United States.
The apple was given its name in honor of the nearby county in New York.
It is one of the top fifteen most common in both the United States and Canada.
[Note: Sugar 12.5%, acid 8 g/litre, vitamin C 6 mg/100g.
Cortland, much like McIntosh, has been a favorite in the New England region for more than a century, and it is a versatile variety that performs exceptionally well in any setting.