Sansa apples originated through an international effort. In 1969, Japanese researcher Dr. Yoshio Yoshida sent pollen from the Akane variety to his colleague in New Zealand, Dr. Don McKenzie, and asked him to use it to cross-pollenate Gala blossoms. At the time, Gala trees were not grown in Japan, and Akane were not available in New Zealand. The seeds that resulted from the cross were returned to Japan, where the young trees were grown until they produced fruit. Apples grown from seed are notoriously unpredictable, so researchers evaluated the trees and fruit for nearly 20 years, releasing the variety in 1988.

Happily, as befits the spirit of cooperation that created it, the Sansa is a spectacularly good apple. It has a bright red striped blush over a pale, yellow-green background. The fruit is firm, yet tender, juicy and exceptionally sweet. As with many early apples, Sansas should be enjoyed fresh, soon after harvest, for a terrific eating experience.

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