Melba (apple)

'Melba apple'
Genus	Malus
Species	M. domestica
Hybrid parentage	McIntosh x Liveland Raspberry apple
Cultivar	'Melba'
Origin	Ontario,  Canada

Melba is a Canadian high quality cultivar of domesticated apple, which was developed by W. T. Macoun at the Central Experimental Farm, in Ottawa, Ontario^[1] by crossing a McIntosh with a Liveland Raspberry apple. It has a yellow skin washed with crimson colour. Flesh is extremely white, firm and crisp. Flavor is sweet with hints of tart.^[2] There is also a Red Melba mutation which is more red coloured, and is ripening later in season.^[3]

This tree is very productive and can bear fruit at a young age, but has a biennial tendency. Early harvest. Need high skill gardening but highly rewarded.^[4] It is mainly used for fresh eating.^[5][6]

References

1. National Fruit Collection page
2. Melba at Orange Pippin
3. New England Orchards
4. Backyard Gardener
5. Salt Springs Apple
6. Platt, Rutherford (2014). 1001 Questions Answered About Trees. Courier Dover Publications. p. 169. ISBN 048616781X.