Empire apple is distinguished by its sweet taste and low acidity and its dark red color. Its flesh is cream colored. It is ideal as a snack because it is a very firm apple, which is less easily bruised than other varieties. Introduced in orchards in 1966, the Empire variety is derived from a cross between McIntosh and Délicieuse Rouge varieties. Some people like to say that it combines the best qualities of the two varieties from which it originates.
