Apple, 'Granny Smith'

Granny Smith pre-dates the modern approach to apple development and marketing. Like all the best old varieties it has a bizarre history, being discovered in Austrialia in the 1860s as a seedling growing in the remains of a compost pile. The true parentage is still unknown but is possibly French Crab. The discoverer - a Mrs Maria Smith - found that the apple was versatile for cooking and eating, and was involved in spreading its popularity.

There is only one word to describe the flavor of Granny Smith: tart. It is an uncompromising crisp hard apple with a very sharp taste. However, the flavor sweetens a lot in New Mexico with our cool nights, as well as in storage. It's even possible to get more of a yellow fruit, with a slight blush with the right conditions here.