Skip to content
Suedtirol logo
Discover South Tyrol
For your information

added to favourites

Go to favorites

removed from favourites

Oops! Something went wrong. Try again

Your account is being created

Your account has been successfully created and you are now logged in

You’ve been logged in successfully!

Your account was created successfully, but we couldn't log you in automatically

You are logged out.

From first glance to final bite

Tasting and pairing apples from South Tyrol


Tasting an apple is much more than simply eating it. It’s a small everyday ritual that engages all the senses. It means letting yourself be guided by colours, aromas, textures and even sound. Each bite tells a story – about the fruit, the land it comes from, and the care with which it’s been grown.

In South Tyrol, trained apple sommeliers devote themselves to showcasing the diversity of apple varieties. They lead professional tastings and share their knowledge of varieties, cultivation, and sensory characteristics.

IDM Südtirol/Südtiroler Apfelkonsortium/Armin Huber

Apple tasting with all your senses

  • Sight

    Before you take a bite, observe the apple’s shape, colour and surface. Is it round or oval? What shades are visible on the peel – from bright red to pale green? Look for lenticels (tiny dots) and possible stripe patterns.

  • Smell

    Hold a slice under your nose and take in the aroma. Do you notice hints of citrus, tropical fruits or floral notes? The scent provides a first glimpse of the aromatic variety you might later recognise in the mouth.

  • Sound

    Take a bite and listen. The louder the crunch, the crisper the apple. The sound can vary from one variety to another.

  • Touch

    Before chewing, feel the flesh with your tongue – is it fine or slightly coarse? The surface also reveals much: is it waxy or smooth? While chewing, note the thickness of the peel – it may be delicate or more pronounced. Also observe how much juice collects in your mouth – this tells you how juicy the variety is.

  • Taste

    Take your time to analyse the flavour. Is the apple sweet, tart or well-balanced? Each variety offers a wide range of flavours. While chewing, different aromas emerge – you might detect fruity, floral or spicy notes, some of which you may have already noticed by smell.

Sensory characteristics

An apple engages all your senses – before you take a bite, it’s worth looking at it closely, feeling it, smelling it, and tasting it mindfully. Every detail reveals something about its variety, freshness and quality.

Appearance: Colour, shape and pattern

Before biting in, take a close look. Apples come in many shades: bright red, soft yellow, deep green or vibrant mixes. The peel can be matte, glossy or slightly waxy. Notice the shape – more rounded or elongated – and typical features: fine speckles, subtle stripes, lenticels or a uniform colour. Minor irregularities hint at the apple’s natural origin. All this already tells you something about the ripeness, variety and flavour before the first bite.

IDM Südtirol/Südtiroler Apfelkonsortium/Armin Huber
Texture: The mouthfeel

Texture is your first direct contact with the apple – it shapes the initial impression. Do you crack through a firm peel? Does the flesh yield immediately or stay firm? Is the apple juicy, compact or tender? Each variety has its own character: Golden Delicious is often velvety and smooth, while Giga® surprises with a firm bite. The peel also plays a role – it can be thin or noticeably robust. Pay attention to how long it takes to chew – some apples melt quickly, others linger. All of this is part of the sensory experience.

IDM Südtirol/Südtiroler Apfelkonsortium/Armin Huber
Taste: From sweet to tart

An apple’s flavour unfolds as you chew – and often reveals more than expected. Some varieties are very sweet, others offer noticeable acidity. And then there are those that balance both: refreshingly tart with a subtle sweetness in the finish. Gala or Ambrosia™ are typically sweet, while Topaz or Granny Smith are tart and fresh. Notice how the flavour evolves: What comes first? What lingers? Savour mindfully – there's a universe of nuance in every apple.

IDM Südtirol/Südtiroler Apfelkonsortium/Armin Huber
Aroma: Discover the variety

What you smell and taste goes far beyond sugar and acidity – the aroma is the heart of the apple tasting experience. With each bite, complex aromas unfold: fruity like peach or pear, floral like elderflower, green like basil or grass, exotic like mango or pineapple. The aroma wheel helps you identify these notes: fruity (e.g. melon, peach), tropical (mango, banana), green (basil, celery), floral (rose, lychee), spicy (cinnamon, fennel) or dried fruits (fig, date). Each apple has its own aromatic fingerprint – you just need to tune in. Pause, breathe deeply, chew slowly. This is how apples become a true sensory experience.

IDM Südtirol/Südtiroler Apfelkonsortium/Armin Huber

Flavour pairings

Every apple has its own sensory profile, and it can reveal even more when paired with the right ingredient. South Tyrolean Cheese, nuts, Speck Alto Adige PGI, chocolate – it only takes a few elements to turn a simple tasting into a real experience.

Tasting Südtiroler Apfel PGI

  • The Golden Delicious stands out for its crisp texture and green, slightly spicy aroma. When paired with Speck Alto Adige PGI, it becomes a simple yet characterful starter.

  • The Fuji variety is sweet and juicy. It pairs beautifully with a delicately aged alpine cheese that gently enhances its aroma.

  • The Granny Smith, with its fresh green notes and marked tartness, finds an ideal match in dark chocolate, creating a contrast that is both intense and refined.

IDM/Südtiroler Apfelkonsortium/Patrick Schwienbacher

Tasting Apple Brands

  • RedPop® brings together sweetness and crunch. Fresh walnuts bring out its fruity aroma.

  • Giga® offers a tropical aroma profile. Combined with a slice of Speck Alto Adige PGI, it creates a bold and surprising contrast.

  • Cosmic Crisp® is both sweet with fine tartness and structured. A lightly matured Brie complements its aroma, creating a harmonious balance.

  • envy™ combines elegance with a satisfying crunch. Paired with Gorgonzola, it delivers a rich and well-rounded tasting experience. 

  • Ambrosia™ has a shiny red skin with yellow highlights and reveals a juicy, crunchy flesh. Its taste is sweet with a hint of slighty tartness. The aroma evokes ripe pears and delicate honey. A fresh goat’s cheese brings out its delicate sweetness and vibrant freshness.  

IDM Südtirol-Alto Adige/Manuela Tessaro
Accommodation image
Finish your booking for
Accommodation name
0  room rooms Not selected No board Breakfast Half board Full board All inclusive
Total price: 0 €
(incl. VAT / excl. local tourism tax)