Appearance:

• Color: The most striking feature is its vibrant, uniform bright green skin, which remains green even when ripe. It rarely develops a blush of red or yellow, unlike many other apple varieties.

• Shape: It's typically round to slightly conical or oval, with a medium to large size.

• Skin: The skin is smooth, glossy, and firm, often with visible white speckles (lenticels). It's generally a bit thicker and tougher than some other apple skins.

• Flesh: The flesh is bright white, which is another distinguishing feature, and it resists browning for a good period after being cut.

Flavor Profile & Aroma:

• Taste: The Granny Smith is famous for its distinctly tart, tangy, and acidic flavor. While it has underlying sweetness, the tartness is dominant, making it very refreshing. It has a classic "apple" taste but with a sharp, crisp edge.

• Aroma: It possesses a fresh, clean, and mildly citrusy aroma, though it's not as intensely fragrant as some sweeter apple varieties.

Texture:

• Crispness: It is exceptionally firm and crisp, offering a satisfying crunch with every bite. This firmness holds up very well even after cooking.

• Juiciness: Granny Smith apples are very juicy, contributing to their refreshing quality.

• Fiber: The flesh is generally fine-grained and relatively non-fibrous.

Size & Weight:

• Granny Smith apples usually range from medium to large in size, typically weighing between 150 to 250 grams.

Seasonality & Availability:

• Granny Smith apples are harvested in the late fall (typically October in the Northern Hemisphere). However, due to their excellent storage capabilities (they have a long shelf life and respond well to controlled atmosphere storage), they are available almost year-round in most markets globally.

Other Notable Characteristics & Uses:

• Culinary Versatility: This is arguably its greatest strength. Its tartness and ability to maintain its shape during cooking make it the premier apple for baking. It's ideal for:

  • Pies and Tarts: Its firm texture prevents it from becoming mushy, and its tartness balances the sweetness of added sugar.

  • Apple Sauce and Jams: Creates a vibrant, flavorful product.

  • Salads: Its crispness and resistance to browning make it perfect for fresh salads.

  • Snacking: Popular for those who prefer a tart and crunchy apple, often paired with peanut butter or cheese.

• Health Benefits: Like other apples, Granny Smiths are a good source of dietary fiber (beneficial for digestion and blood sugar regulation) and Vitamin C (an antioxidant for immune support).

• Global Popularity: Its robust nature, long shelf life, and versatility have made it one of the most widely recognized and consumed apple varieties worldwide.

• Origin Story: Named after Maria Ann Smith, an Australian orchardist, who discovered the seedling in a compost heap in 1868.

In summary, the Granny Smith apple stands out for its iconic bright green color, intensely tart and refreshing flavor, and remarkably crisp and firm texture, making it a highly versatile fruit prized for both fresh eating and a wide range of culinary applications, especially baking.