Ontario apples have deep roots—some dating back over 200 years. With 15 delicious varieties grown across the province, there’s more to love (and learn) about this everyday fruit than you might expect. Let’s bite into some surprising, snackable facts.
Did You Know?
The beloved McIntosh apple was discovered in 1811 by a farmer named John McIntosh on his land in Dundela, Ontario. It went on to become a Canadian classic and remains one of the top five apple varieties grown in Ontario today—alongside Gala, Honeycrisp, Ambrosia, and Red Delicious. That’s a long legacy of crisp, homegrown flavour.
Apples to Apples: How Do They Differ?
Tips to Make the Most of Your Apples
Keep it Cool
Want apples that stay crisp and flavourful? Store them in your fridge crisper inside a perforated plastic bag. Cold, humid conditions help Ontario apples keep their crunch, juiciness, and full taste for longer. (Bonus tip: sprinkle cut slices with lemon juice to stop browning!)
Snack Smart
Eat an apple 15 minutes before your biggest meal. Apples are filled with fibre and water, which can help you feel full sooner. As a result, you may end up eating fewer calories—while keeping mealtime just as delicious. It’s a simple, no-prep strategy to support healthy eating.
Know Your Apple
Some apples are sweet, others tart. Some are best for baking, others for snacking, slicing, or pressing into juice. A few can do it all. Ontario grows 15 main apple varieties across nearly 16,000 acres—plenty of range to match the many ways apples show up in everyday life.
Apple guide
