Ambrosia (apple)

Description

Tree

The Ambrosia apple tree has an upright growth pattern, varying on soil quality, rootstock, environment, and management. The tree develops lateral branches, requiring pruning to maintain vigour and fruit size. In the first two years of growth, significant tree training is needed to assure well-angled fruiting branches and productivity.

Ambrosia apple trees are suitable for dense planting, have high yields, and require little pruning during the winter.

Pollinating partners of the Ambrosia include the Cortland, Fuji, and Granny Smith.

Apple

The fruit is medium to large, 6.8 - in diameter, weighing about 215 g, and has mostly red, glossy colouration, with yellow patches. These apples flower in the mid-to-late blossom period,

Ambrosia apples produce a low amount of ethylene, not displaying the usual climacteric rise at harvest. Accordingly, internal ethylene concentrations do not indicate accurate fruit maturity, whereas skin colour and starch staining charts are commonly used for optimal harvest and standardization of fruit quality.

Orchard irrigation conditions appear to be a factor causing soft scald and reduced quality of Ambrosia apples during storage.

Parentage

Derived from a chance seedling, the Ambrosia is suspected to be a cross of the Starking Delicious and the Golden Delicious because those apples existed in the orchard where the Ambrosia was discovered growing.

Patent

Ambrosia is a "club" variety of apple, in which a cultivar is patented by an organization that sets quality standards and provides marketing, while production is limited to club members.

Centralized control allowed limitation of color variation to pink/red, as the variety would colour differently in warmer climates. It remains active in many other countries until as late as 2034. While under patent in Canada, the Mennell family obtained plant breeders rights, and all growers were allowed, paying a royalty of CA$2–3.75 per tree planting. While under patent in the US, growers paid the lesser of per tree planting or per acre, and a franchise fee.

The Ambrosia Gold is marketed as the premium version of this variety.

Cultivation and consumption

Ambrosia is most commonly cultivated in British Columbia, where it was the third most-produced apple in 2016. By the mid 2020s, British Columbia continues to take the lead in production, followed by Ontario and Nova Scotia. Alongside the Honeycrisp and Gala, the Ambrosia has risen in prominence among Canadian farmers and consumers at the expense of the Red Delicious. In the United States, the majority of Ambrosia apples are harvested in Washington State and New York. This variety is also grown in Chile, New Zealand, the Netherlands, and Italy, among other countries.

In the early 21st century, it is one of the most popular apple varieties in Canada and the United States, especially in the South and Midwest. It has also found success in the Asian market, notably Vietnam.

References

References

1. (16 February 1999). "US Plant Patent 10789 - Apple tree named 'Ambrosia'". Google Patents.
2. "Ambrosia™". Okanagan Plant Improvement Corporation (PICO).
3. Gallagher, Margaret. (October 14, 2018). "All things apple: Biting into a fall fruit favourite". CBC News.
4. "Ambrosia Apples".
5. Cline, John A. (14 March 2024). "Commercial production of Ambrosia apples in Ontario". Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, Government of Ontario.
6. "Pollination of Ambrosia Apple Trees".
7. (14 October 2018). "All things apple: Biting into a fall fruit favourite". CBC News.
8. Duke, Laura Churchill. (October 27, 2025). "How to choose, store and use apples grown in Atlantic Canada". The Telegram.
9. (17 December 2017). "Stressed orchards lead to injured Ambrosia™ apples". Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, Government of Canada.
10. (2009). "Making Sense of New Apple Varieties, Trademarks and Clubs: Current Status". New York Fruit Quarterly.
11. Warner, Geraldine. (2015-06-18). "Ambrosia Restrictions to End". Good Fruit Grower.
12. Courtney, Ross. (2017-06-07). "Ambrosia apple patent opens up: 20-year U.S. patent ends on popular club variety". Good Fruit Grower.
13. (2017-06-09). "Ambrosia apple patent will still be valid outside North America". Fresh Fruit Portal.
14. (February 17, 2021). "Ambrosia sales dominate in the South, strong nationally". Produce News.
15. "Ambrosia Apples in Canada - Frequently Asked Questions". Ambrosia Apples.
16. "U.S. Apple Industry Outlook 2025".
17. (October 9, 2015). "Some Apples Are Just Lucky". Orchard & Vine Magazine.
18. (2024). "Apple - Ambrosia - tasting notes, identification, reviews". Orange Pippin Ltd.
19. Ward, Rachel. (November 20, 2018). "Goodbye, Red Delicious: Canada's favourite apples are now sweeter, more juicy". CBC News.
20. Karp, David. (November 3, 2015). "Beyond the Honeycrisp Apple". The New York Times.
21. (9 January 2024). "CMI sees soaring demand for Ambrosia Gold apples". Produce Blue Book.
22. Lucas, Glenn. (December 3, 2019). "What Will It Take to Save Ambrosia?". Orchard & Vine Magazine.