Sansa was developed in the 1970s by the Morioka Research Station in Japan, in collaboration with researchers in New Zealand, as a straightforward cross between Akane and Gala varieties.
Sansa appears to have good disease resistance, although it was not developed specifically for this purpose. The disease resistance is likely to come from the Akane parentage, since Akane is itself naturally disease resistant whereas Gala is susceptible to several common apple diseases.
In terms of flavor, Sansa is essentially an early-ripening Gala. It inherits Gala's inherent sweetness, but with more acidity - as might be expected given its earlier ripening season.
Sansa apple identification images
All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.
USDA identification images for Sansa
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.
Visitor reviews
- 24 Aug 2019 MA, United StatesBought my first bag of these today at Big Apple Orchard in Wrentham, MA. I guess never go looking for local apples this early in season, but this was a great choice. Sweet and juicy in hand. Will buy again.
- 07 Oct 2018 WISCONSIN, United StatesI tried this variety. It was late in the season and because of that was getting grainy. The taste was so good however that the texture didn’t matter. To add to the description above — this apple (at least locally) is slightly russetted.
- 09 Sep 2015 NY, United StatesJust picked some of these at a local u-pick farm that has only a few rows of these trees available. They were small in size, maybe due to the early age of the trees or lack of rain in the past few weeks, but the apples were really pleasantly sweet with a good chewing consistency. We're so lucky to have such a large variety of apples to pick from.
- 16 Sep 2014 PALM BEACH COUNTY, United StatesJust had Sansa for the first time. ORGANIC from The Boys Market in Delray Beach, Fla. $1.99 lb. I can't grow 'em. I do grow papaya,mango, pineapple,carambola, passion fruit, key lime, all organic. sweet corn and guava,next. I am going back now to buy more sansa. I always have pie in mind. Be well and be happy
- 27 Aug 2013 NY, United StatesA new variety at my local orchard so I gave it a try. Its a very nice, sweet, crisp apple. It is definitely my favorite of the early apple varieties.
- 18 Aug 2013 NY, United StatesPurchased some sansa apples at the farmer's market in Union Square (Manhattan) to try for the first time. I think this variety is my new favorite! Thinking of going upstate to pick some this September.
Tree register
United States
- Adam Dupps in Lawrenceburg, IN
- Alexander Mir in Redding, CT
- Brian Phillips in Saint Johns, MI
- Florian Deisenhofer in Brush Prairie, WA
- George Cochran in Maple City, MI
- George R in Fredericktown, PA
- George R in Fredericktown, PA
- Gil Schieber in Snohomish, WASHINGTON
- Jerry in Warwick, NY /ORANGE COUNTY
- Jim Gana in Hallstead, PA
- John Cummins in New Market, TN/JEFFERSON
- Kim Lapacek in Poynette, WI
- Mike Prohaska in Lansing, MICHIGAN
- Robert Bratsch in PLYMOUTH, MN
- Surik Mehrabyan in ITHACA, NEW YORK
Japan
- John Little in Komagane-Shi,, NAGANO-KEN
Spring blossom records for this variety
2021 season
- 6th May 2021 - tree owned by Jim in Hallstead, United States
2019 season
- 9th May 2019 - tree owned by Jim in Hallstead, United States
2018 season
- 15th May 2018 - tree owned by Jim in Hallstead, United States
2017 season
- 3rd May 2017 - tree owned by Jim in Hallstead, United States
2016 season
- 9th May 2016 - tree owned by Jim in Hallstead, United States
2015 season
- 11th May 2015 - tree owned by Jim in Hallstead, United States
2014 season
- 16th May 2014 - tree owned by Jim in Hallstead, United States
Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.
Harvest records for this variety
2021 season
- 2nd week September 2021 - tree owned by Jim in Hallstead, United States
2020 season
- 2nd week September 2020 - tree owned by Jerry in Warwick, United States
2019 season
- 2nd week September 2019 - tree owned by Jim in Hallstead, United States
2017 season
- 2nd week September 2017 - tree owned by Jim in Hallstead, United States
2015 season
- 1st week September 2015 - tree owned by Jim in Hallstead, United States
2014 season
- 2nd week August 2014 - tree owned by Florian in Brush Prairie, United States
2011 season
- 4th week August 2011 - tree owned by John in New Market, United States
Origins
- Species: Malus domestica - Apple
- Parentage: Gala x Akane
- Originates from: Japan
- Introduced: 1988
- Developed by: Morioka Research Station
Identification
- Country of origin: Japan
- Period of origin: 1950 - 1999
- Fruit colour: Red
- Leaf colour: Green
- Popularity: Best sellers
- Annual cycle: Deciduous
Using
- Picking season: Early
- Keeping (of fruit): 1 week
- Flavour quality: Very good
- Flavour style (apples): Sweeter
- Discoloration of fruit: No discoloration (Good for drying)
- Cropping: Heavy
- Fruit persistence: Normal ripening
- Food uses: Eating fresh
- Picking period: early September
- Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators
Growing
- Gardening skill: Beginner
- Flowering group: 4
- Pollinating others: Average
- Ploidy: Diploid
- Vigour: Weak growing
- Precocity: Precocious
- Bearing regularity: Regular
- Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
- Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
Climate
- Cold hardiness (USDA): Zone 5 (-29C)
- Climate suitability: Temperate climates
- Climate suitability: Warm climates
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)
Other qualities
- Disease resistance: Good
- Powdery mildew: Very resistant
- Cedar apple rust: Very resistant
- Scab (Apple and Pear): Some resistance
Where to buy trees
The following tree nurseries offer Sansa apple trees for sale:
- Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (USA) United States
Sansa apple trees
Where to buy fresh fruit
The following orchards grow Sansa:
United States
Colorado
- Ela Family Farms, Hotchkiss
- Masonville Orchard, Fort Collins
Idaho
- Kelley Orchards (Weiser), Weiser
Illinois
- Royal Oak Farm and Fruit Orchard, Harvard *** Feature Orchard ***
Indiana
- Countryside Orchard, Rochester
- HighPoint Orchard & Farm Market, Greensburg
- Harker Family Farms & Orchard, Waldron
Iowa
- Wilson's Orchard, Iowa City
Massachusetts
- Parlee Farms, Tyngsboro
- Tougas Family Farm, Northborough
Michigan
- Phillips Orchards & Cider Mill, Saint Johns
- Robinette's Apple Haus and Winery, Grand Rapids
New Hampshire
- Alyson's Apple Orchard, Walpole
New Jersey
- Riamede Farm, Chester
New York
- Bellinger's Apple Orchard, Fultonville
- Black Diamond Farm, Trumansburg
- Exelsior Farms, Kent
- Minards Family Farm, Clintondale
- Whittier Fruit Farm, Rochester
Ohio
- Burnham Orchards, Berlin Heights
- West Orchards, Perry
Oregon
- Haury Farms, Salem
- Kiyokawa Family Orchards, Mount Hood Parkdale
Pennsylvania
- Kauffman's Fruit Farm, Bird-in-Hand
- Pappy's Orchard, Coopersburg
- Weaver's Orchard, Morgantown
Tennessee
- Indian Cave Orchards, New Market
Washington
- Skipley Farm, Snohomish *** Feature Orchard ***
- Tonnemaker Hill Farm, Royal City
Wisconsin
- Cattleana Ranch, Poygan Township/Omro
- Peck & Bushel Fruit Company, Town of Erin/City of Colgate
Canada
British Columbia
- Dragonfly Farm, Salt Spring Island
- Salt Spring Apple Company, Salt Spring Island