Santana apple

Tasting notes
Characteristics
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A modern apple from the Netherlands, with a pleasant vinous flavour and bred specifically for reduced levels of proteins which can cause allergic reactions for some people.

Santana's is a modern red apple with a delicately perfumed flavour. Although the predominant flavour is "apple", there is a hint of something else - a bit like lychees or roses or sweet grapes. It is slightly more noticeable where the skin is flushed red - where the apple has been exposed to the autumn sun. The flesh is creamy-yellow, and firm rather than crunchy. We don't normally describe apples by their smell, but Santana smells like it tastes !

Santana is a medium-sized apple. It is usually a deep red flushed/streaked colour, over a yellow/green background. In flavour terms it is quite similar to Spartan, which can also have scented overtones - usually described as "vinous".

Santana was developed at the University of Wageningen in the Netherlands, and is derived from Elstar, to which it has a passing resemblance. Its unique claim to fame is that it has been developed with the specific aim of minimising the levels of certain proteins which can trigger allergic reactions in a small number of people - so if you are allergic to apples but would like to be able to eat them, this variety might be worth considering.

Santana also has the Vf gene which imparts resistance to scab and it has some resistance to canker.

Last updated 06 Mar 2011.

Summary

Species: Malus domestica
Origin: Netherlands
Orange Pippin Cultivar ID: 105400

Identification

Fruit colour: Red / Green
Fruit size: Medium

Using

Good for eating fresh
Flavour quality: Very good
Flavour style: Vinous
Ripening period: Mid-Late season
Use / keeping: 1-2 months

Growing

Flowering period: Mid-Late season
Flowering group: 4 Flowers very close to Golden Delicious
Fertility: Self-sterile
Triploid: No
Gardening skill: Very easy
Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
General disease resistance: Good

Climate

Suitable for temperate climates

Disease resistance

Scab - Very resistant
Bacterial canker Pseudomonas syringae - Some resistance
Mildew - Very susceptible

Relationships to other varieties

Parents and other ancestors of this variety:

Elstar

Santana identification photos from official fruit collections

UK National Fruit Collection

©Crown Copyright more >

Santana identification photos from website visitors

Santana apples

Rate this variety for flavor

Visitor comments

(Use the form at the bottom to add your own comments about this variety)

29 Jan 2012		ZarinaLONDON, United Kingdom
	I normally can't eat apples raw as they make my throat itch and lips become bumpy, I bought this last year especially for it's hypoallergenic properties. I let one apple grow - It was quite large. I bit into it and had no reaction - I was able to eat a whole apple for the first time in over ten years. It was bliss. I am very grateful to the guys that designed it.
30 Nov 2011		LaraSwitzerland
	I bought "Santana". These are not small and in fact they remind me of "Idared", also for the unpleasant tough skin. Not really a favorite for me.
11 Jan 2011		Tempis WebbUnited States
	I like this website but it should describe the apple and how it got named
25 Nov 2010		Andrew John CameronNOTTINGHAMSHIRE, United Kingdom
	A delicious apple, with good texture and sweet flavourful flesh. I would say a nice size fruit for children or older people who want a smaller apple. It is one of the nicest I have tasted for many years.
16 Oct 2010		StcWORCESTERESHIRE, United Kingdom
	I've received some of these in my Riverford fruit box this week, and they're one of the best apples I've tasted. These are quite small, UK grown and a very dark cherry red on one side. There are hints of peach and honey in the flavour with toffee or caramel on the aftertaste. Cracking!

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Fruit tree register

Do you have a tree of this variety in your garden or orchard? If so please register the details here and contribute to our international register of fruit trees.

The following Santana trees have been registered - click the name to view more details of each tree.

You can also view these trees on a map.

Belgium

Jan Gelders in ZELEM, LIMBURG

Where to buy apple trees

The following fruit tree nurseries offer Santana apple trees for sale:

Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (UK)
United Kingdom Supplier's website >>
Keepers Nursery
United Kingdom More >>

Where to buy apples

The following orchards and suppliers offer Santana apples for sale. map >

Netherlands map >

Noord-Hollandmap >
- Het Keetje, Westwoud