| Malus 'Granny Smith' | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Hybrid parentage | Thought to be M. domestica × M. sylvestris |
| Cultivar | 'Granny Smith' |
| Origin | Australia, Maria Ann Smith, 1868 |
The Granny Smith, also known as a green apple or sour apple, is an apple cultivar that originated in Australia in 1868.[1] It is named after Maria Ann Smith, who propagated the cultivar from a chance seedling. The tree is thought to be a hybrid of Malus sylvestris, the European wild apple, with the domesticated apple Malus domestica as the polleniser.[citation needed]
The fruit is hard, firm and with a light green skin and crisp, juicy flesh. The flavour is tart and acidic. It remains firm when baked, making it a popular cooking apple[2] used in pies, where it can be sweetened. The apple goes from being completely green to turning yellow when overripe.[3] The US Apple Association reported in 2019 that the Granny Smith was the third most popular apple in the United States of America.[4]
- ^ Martin, Megan (2005). "Maria Ann Smith (1799–1870)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Vol. Supplement. Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISBN 978-0-522-84459-7. ISSN 1833-7538. OCLC 70677943. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
- ^ "Your Guide to the Best Apples for Baking and Cooking".
- ^ J. Dixon; E. W. Hewett (1998). "Temperature affects postharvest colour changes of apple" (PDF). Palmerston, New Zealand: Massey University.
- ^ Grondine, Tracy (2018). ""After 50+ years, Red Delicious falls to #2 as most grown U.S. apple, Gala takes #1 spot"". U.S. Apple Association. Archived from the original on 30 August 2018. Retrieved 25 November 2021.