Sonya is a crisp large modern apple variety from New Zealand, and started to become available in 2002. It is also known by its variety name, Nevson.
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.
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.
The identification paintings in the USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection span the years 1886 to 1942.
Citation: U.S. Department of Agriculture Pomological Watercolor Collection. Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD 20705.
No orchards have registered as growing this variety. If you grow this and want to register please go to our Orchard Registration form.
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