Sonya apple
Sonya is a crisp large modern apple variety from New Zealand, and started to become available in 2002.
Sonya has two distinctive features. Firstly, its unusual shape - it is a very tall apple, a shape which is characteristic of 'pearmain' apples such as Adams Pearmain. However the parentage is Gala and Red Delicious, so Sonya is very much in the Golden Delicious and Red Delicious style.
Sonya's other distinctive feature is its exceptional sweetness - which is what you would expect from an apple which is related to both Golden Delicious and Red Delicious. The flavour is strongly reminiscent of raw sugar cane, and there is no trace of acidity whatsover. The dominating sweetness does tend to give Sonya a rather one-dimensional flavour, but served straight from a fridge it is a very pleasant crisp refreshing apple and distinctly different from many other modern varieties. From the feedback we have received it appears that Sonya appeals much more strongly to North American tastes than European tastes.
Visitor comments:
"My sister and I both agree with your assessment of the flavor of the Sonya Apple – it has become our new favorite." Patricia, USA.
"I've just tried Sonya for the first time this week. Very boring apple. Give me a Discovery any day!" Annette, UK"I was never a big apple eater until I tried a Sonya apple, the best I have ever had. I brought one to work today and shared and everyone agreed and now we are all looking for places that sell them. I paid quite a hefty price but it was well worth it." Shirley, Tulsa, USA
"I just tried a Sonya apple for the first time. I liked it enough to look it up online, and your site was the first thing that came up in a Google search. I was not surprised to read about the Gala/Red Delicious parentage; Gala apples are one of my favorite types for the thinner skin and crisper tartness, but it seems that the Red Delicious has added some bulk and sweetness to the already lovely Gala composition. I find it to be a very nice genetic mix!". Robyn
"Since the first bite, I thought it tasted like a cross between yellow and red Delicious. I was close. I like it very much. I admit, I'm a sweet apple eater and perfer a nice crunch. 'Sonya' and a properly ripened and matured 'Honeycrisp' are now my favorites. Thanks for the background information." Susan, Nebraska USA
"Yes, I agree that the Sonya apple is a delicious apple. I bought 3 yesterday, because the display information indicated the variety is a cross between Gala and Red Delicious (Gala is one of my favorite eating apples). After eating the first one, I knew I would purchase this apple again, but couldn't remember the name (only the cross). I actually searched through the kitchen trash in order to find the discarded fruit sticker which bore the apple's name since the two uneaten ones had no stickers on them. Then I checked the Internet to be sure I had the correct name for this wonderful apple. Never have I gone to so much trouble for the sake of an apple!", Deb, New Jersey
"I wholeheartedly agree, the Sonya apple is fantastic". Dean, Nebraska USA
"Sonyas are OK, better than Red Delicious, but that's not saying much". John, Cedar Rapids, IA.
"I have just tried Sonya apples for the 1st time. Here are my reactions to the apples:
1. it is a beautiful apple, tall as you have written
2. it is a large attractive apple but I think a bit too large. I eat an apple for lunch every day and it is a bit more than I desire.
3. the price here in Houston was about $1.00/apple. Very pricey.
4. my favorite apples are the Fugi which I eat everyday. I also like and probably prefer the Honey Chrisp but it is very expensive and not very available.
5. The Sonya appears to be a very firm apple from the outside but I found it more mushy than I expected. Of course, it is a tasty apple but I don’t think that unusual. " J.Moffett, Houston, USA
"I think it is a very tasty apple and for me it tastes like an apple should taste. My favorite has been Golden Delicious and I like Braeburn as well. I just tried the Sonya for the first time - never heard of them before. Strangely, the Sonya I bought was not tall or even very big. I think I bought it at either Kroger or Publix. My father who has dentures complains that most apples are too hard and crunchy for him to eat, but this one is not. Thanks!" Donna, Atlanta, USA.
"I just had my first Sonja apple. It was really different and very sweet. I still like Pink Lady best of all." JG, Tennessee, USA
A number of visitors have asked where they can buy Sonya apples or trees. If you are able to supply apples or you are a fruit tree nursery that can supply trees, please get in touch - apples@orangepippin.com.
Species: Malus domestica
Comments
05 May 08 21:06 Lora from Northern Kentucky, USA
Very refreshing, crisp, juicy and sweet apple. My family loves them. I wish they were a little more affordable. I was actually searching for coupons.
07 Apr 08 23:47 a DIEHL from PENNSYLVANIA
Where can I buy Sonya apple trees?
01 Apr 08 21:04 Sonya from Lapeer, MI
We got some of these at our local grocery store yesterday... Yummmy
31 Mar 08 21:26 Sonya from Sugar Land, TX
I tried my first one today-- Big, crisp and flavorful, the taste reminded me of honey. I may be bias, but this is my new favorite apple.
25 Mar 08 00:49 Annie lynn M. from USA
Yeah- i just bought it- it is really tall!!! its sweet but not that good... ill stick to my fuji's thanks.
24 Mar 08 17:52 Josh from Dayton, OH, USA
I just had my first SONYA apple and it was fantastic! I prefer a very crisp and juicy apple, my other favorites are GALAs and FUJIs. The SONYA is now right at the top of my list. While the flavor is not as complex as the FUJI, it is still very, very good. For those arguing here that it is too mealy or mushy, I would argue that you likely got some that were mishandled or just of poor quality. The one I just ate was extremely crisp, juicy and sweet. No hint of the mealy or mushy quality that some have reported. I will buy them whenever I can find them.
13 Feb 08 17:32 Ruth Z Deming from Suburban Philadelpha, USA
As we speak, my first-ever batch of Sonya apples are cooking over the stove because I always make my own applesauce. They were on special at Superfresh for a great price. The apples are beautiful to look at. I took a tiny bite which was deliciously crisp. I can't stand a mushy apple. I took a taste of the applesauce & it's sweet and delicious. Surprisingly sweet which is unusual but good. Thank you for hosting this excellent website. I'll continue buying Sonya whenever they're on special. - The Frugal Apple Lover
12 Feb 08 01:08 Roger from Everett, Wa. USA
The SONYA apple is the best I have ever eaten, Bar None. Up to now the Braeburn, Cameo & Honey Crisp were my favorites. These SONYAS are pricey, but well worth it.
05 Feb 08 21:04 Sybil from Nashville, TN, USA
I just tried a Sonya and had to throw it out after one bite. It is way too mealy in texture and sweet and bland in taste for what I like. I much prefer Pink Lady and Honeycrisp apples.
26 Jan 08 18:32 Richard from Ennis, Tx. USA
This apple is better than the red and gold delicious varieties; however, there are many apples with a superior taste. As far as sweet and crisp apples go, this one is inferior.
22 Jan 08 19:09 Sammy from Spokane, USA
This time of year we buy only Fuji apples because all others are way other than crispy. However, the fujis were weak this last week so my wife bought Sonyas for the first time. Wow! Sweet, juicy and crispy. I love them.
13 Jan 08 21:57 Jean Baloga from Utah, USA
lOVE this apple, its the best ever. We went back and bought the rest. The store is not getting anymore in. Trying to find somemore, or wonder if we can grow our own???
11 Jan 08 21:45 Fred Weiner from Mesquite, New Mexico
Since my wife's name is Sonya, we would like to know why that apple is named Sonya. Thank you.
05 Dec 07 15:06 Sonya from Stillwater, OK, USA
I hadn't heard of a Sonya Apple until a co- worker told me yesterday. At first I thought he was kidding, but then I found it on google. He said it tasted awesome and now I can't wait to try one! Although, with a name like that, I'm sure they are heavenly sweet!! :-P
27 Nov 07 18:52 Sylvia Allen from Pennsylvania
I just had a Sonya apple. I think they are great. The exotic flavor and the size are great. It is a very fulfilling snack
08 Nov 07 15:19 Andy from New York
I just purchased one Sonya apple for $1.23. It was a beautiful apple to look at, unfortunately the taste didn't match the image. The first taste wasn't bad, but as I continued to eat the apple, the sweetness assumed a slight cloying quality and the lack of body texture felt almost a little slimy. I would not buy this apple againt, even if it were sold at bargain prices.
07 Nov 07 21:21 Lynn from Florida, USA
First time I was able to get this variety. It is crisp, and has more sweetness than the parent Gala, but not quite as much as the Red Delicious. My favorite is the Fuji, for the crispness that remains even with long storage. This one has the same crispness.
07 Nov 07 20:28 Catherine Griffith from Albequerque, USA
Avery crisp, juicy,and sweet apple. I love it but wish it were a little cheaper.
Your comments
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