Apple review: Spartan

[platypus]

Surprisingly, I found a new-to-me apple at Bristol Farms recently: Spartan. It's hardly a new apple, but it's not one I've seen around here before. I'm eager to try anything that's not a trademarked Honeycrisp cross with a ridiculous website. Adam liked it, comparing it to Empire, which I know I like; "very crisp and juicy, sweet with just a little tempering tartness. The even flavor is slightly vinous, with floral notes and a little spice," he says. Sounds all right to me, though I do prefer apples to be more on the tart side.



Verdict: This is actually my second Spartan. I tried to review it last week, but when it came time to eat it I thought I'd waited too long and it was going off, because it was mushy and grainy and giving me uncomfortable memories of Red Delicious. The taste wasn't bad, but I couldn't really evaluate it.

But my second one also has an odd, grainy, mealy texture that I dislike, plus the skin is chewy. Its taste is fine, but nothing special -- juicy, a little sweet, quite "apple," no noticeable tartness. The second apple, like the first, browned so quickly that some parts looked gross before I was even finished.

Have I just gotten bad ones? I don't know. But I think I've given it enough chances.

Buy again? Sorry to say it, but this one's a pass.

Comments

[nonelvis]

As someone who has tried Spartans and Empires repeatedly, because the orchard I go to grows them both: Spartans are like Empires, but less so, and Empires are >>> most apples.

[platypus]

I did like Empire when I was sent some last year. A good Spartan is probably better than the ones I had, but I wouldn't know how to identify one -- the ones I bought looked and felt fine. At least I have plenty of other good apples to eat (as long as Whole Foods keeps stocking Lady Alice, anyway).

Now I have to try Cosmic Crisp, sigh. I feel obliged, but the apples are stupidly huge and I dislike them just on principle.

[nonelvis]

If you would like some Empires as a belated birthday present at Gally, I can almost certainly get some; one of my local grocery stores had a whole pile of them yesterday, and they keep basically forever in the fridge.

While I was there, I picked up a Cosmic Crisp even though I am deeply unimpressed with Honeycrisp. And if you find Honeycrisp too sweet, you'll have the same problem with Cosmic Crisp, even though it's got a tarter note somewhere in there, too. I think I just need to acknowledge that I basically only like tart apples or ones that are 90% tart, 10% sweet/fruity.