Ontario

Malus domestica Borkh. Borkh.

Culinary / Dessert

Introduced

1882

Origin

Paris, Ontario, Canada

Measured Phenotype

Brix: 14.2 °Bx

Each value is the highest-precedence :Assertion attached to this cultivar; full provenance (year, evidence type, confidence) is preserved in the graph.

Ontario is a large, oblate apple intermediate between its Northern Spy and Wagener parents, with pinkish-red coloring over pale yellow background. It has a crisp, juicy, aromatic flesh with a brisk subacid flavor and is particularly valued for culinary use. The variety was developed in Canada where it is regarded as one of the best apples for both commercial purposes and home use, though it proved less impressive when grown at the Geneva Station.

Flavor & Texture

subacidaromaticbriskcrisptenderjuicyfirm

Best Uses

fresh_eatingcookingjuicing

4 historical watercolors from the USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection (1886–1942) included in the gallery above. Public domain.

Lineage

Parents

Northern Spy Wagener

Offspring

Pohorka Geneva Ontario Herma Schweizer Orange Ontario (4n)Juno

Origin & History

Status: commercial
Origin type: deliberate cross
Original breeder: Charles Arnold

sprightlybrisksubacidaromatic

References

USDA-NPGS: PI 237702
UK National Fruit Collection: 4389
Wikidata: Q2024669