Northern Spy is the kind of apple people come back for. It doesn’t rush the season, hanging late and taking its time to develop, but when it’s ready, it delivers. Big, firm, and striped in red over green, it looks like a proper orchard apple. The kind your grandparents would have known. There’s a confidence to it, and once you taste it, you understand why it has held its reputation for so long.

Bite into a good Northern Spy and you get a clean, satisfying crunch followed by a bright, lively flavour that feels both fresh and full. The balance of sweet and tart is spot on, and it only gets better with a bit of time in storage. This is where it really shines. In pies, it holds together beautifully, keeping its shape while still softening just enough, and the flavour comes through strong and clear. If you want an apple that makes a pie taste like an apple pie should, this is it. It’s also excellent for fresh eating once it has settled, making it one of those rare apples that does both jobs exceptionally well.

• Origin: Northeastern United States, early 1800s, believed to have originated in New York

• Appearance: Large fruit with a green-yellow base and bold red striping. Slightly irregular, with a classic, old orchard look

• Flavour: Bright and balanced with a lively sweet-tart profile. Gains depth and richness after a period of storage

• Keeping: Very good keeper. Stores well into winter and improves in flavour after several weeks in cold storage

• Uses: A standout baking apple, especially for pies where it holds its shape and delivers strong flavour. Also excellent for fresh eating after storage, and a great addition to cider for balance and structure.