Our apple varieties
In sunny Vårdö, in the heart of the Åland archipelago, we grow apples shaped by our unique microclimate. The cool nights, abundant sunshine, and the proximity of the sea give the fruit its fresh sweetness, crisp texture, and beautiful shades of color – a taste of the place we call home.
Crimson Crisp is our newest apple variety. The word “Crisp” refers to the fruit’s crunchy interior, which is immediately noticeable with the very first bite!
Crimson Crisp ripens in mid-October.
The variety is red with a yellow background color.
The flesh can range from light yellow to yellow.
Freshly picked from the tree, Crimson can taste slightly tart, but thanks to its high sugar content (approx. 15%), the acidity balances out after some time in storage. The flavor of Crimson Crisp is somewhat reminiscent of a mix between melon and orange.
Domestic apples soften quickly at room temperature. Therefore, at home the fruit is best stored in the refrigerator at +2–4 degrees.
Taste profile
Pairs with
Elise is a tasty and aromatic apple that ripens in mid-October.
The variety has high sweetness and low acidity, along with firm and crisp flesh. The skin is thin and pleasant to chew.
The fruit turns red with a green background color, which changes from green to yellow during storage. A fine characteristic of Elise is that its flavor actually improves during storage (in contrast to many other varieties).
In addition to being eaten fresh, Elise is also suitable for cooking. Domestic apples soften quickly at room temperature, so at home the fruit is best stored at refrigerator temperature (+2–4 degrees).
Taste profile
Pairs with
Rubinola is a true autumn/winter apple that has become a real favorite.
When picked at the right time, Rubinola has a fine balance between sweetness and acidity.
The apple has a citrus-like aroma and firm flesh. The sun-exposed side of the fruit is red/orange or red-orange streaked with a golden-yellow background.
Domestic apples soften quickly at room temperature. Therefore, the fruit is best stored at home in the refrigerator at +2–4 degrees. However, the apple’s flavor comes out best if the fruit has been at room temperature for a few hours before eating.
Taste profile
Pairs with
Rubin is originally a Czech variety. Other well-known varieties derived from Rubin include Rubinola and Topaz.
The apple has a mild flavor and is very juicy. The yellowish-white flesh is crisp, with a high sugar content, which makes the apple excellent for eating fresh. The variety reaches picking maturity in mid-September, when the fruit develops a beautiful red to red-streaked sun side with a yellow background.
Domestic apples soften quickly at room temperature. Therefore, the fruit is best stored at +2–4 degrees. At home, apples are best kept in the refrigerator, or alternatively on the balcony as long as the outdoor temperature is cool, but not at risk of dropping below freezing.
Taste profile
Pairs with
Gala is an autumn variety that we began test-growing seven years ago.
The variety is a cross between “Kidd’s Orange Red” and “Golden Delicious”. It was originally bred in New Zealand in the 1930s.
The apple has a relatively high sugar content, sometimes exceeding 15% brix, and the flesh has a pleasant bite. The acidity level in Gala is relatively low, which makes the taste very mild, as the sweetness becomes more pronounced.
The skin is dark red, and just beneath it the flesh is often tinged with red. Closer to the core, the flesh takes on a light yellow character.
Domestic apples soften quickly at room temperature. Therefore, the fruit is best stored at home in the refrigerator at +2–4 degrees.