Northern Spy

The old saying goes “spys for pies.” Northern Spy is one of the great cooking apples though it is admired for eating as well. Check out this experiment by our neighbors at King Arthur Flour for more information on what makes the best pie apple. Introduced in the mid 1800’s, it keeps well if refrigerated. It was named after James Fenmore Cooper’s novel, “The Spy,” which was very popular during this time. Spys tend to be large, reddish, smooth-skinned apples with bright white, crisp, juicy flesh. Flavor is tart and juicy. They do well in cold storage and often last until spring. The tree is a vigorous grower and cold hardy. Slow bearing and can tend toward biennial. We begin harvest mid-October. 

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