Schoolbus vs Sansa

These two apples, though very different, share many characteristics. Thus this taste test.

Other than size—both are small, though not crabs—these do not look much alike.

Side by side, Schoolbus's streaky red coloring looks pale and washed out, while Sansa's warm red blush is almost jewel-like in the gray overcast light.

It's easy to see Schoolbus's riot of large tan lenticel dots, while one must look closer to make out Sansa's scarce tiny speckles.

Sansa is more oblate while Schoolbus has a classic conic taper.

Both are moderately ribbed, the Bus a shade more so, with a peel that is glossier and an unblushed yellow that is greener.

These varieties generally grow larger than my samples today.

Taste test

Medium-grained Sansa is sweeter, juicier, and crunchier than fine-grained Schoolbus—clearly so, but not by a very great deal. Both are light and bright, delicate rather than saturated.

And, like Schoolbus, some of my Sansa (but, like Schoolbus, not all) ended with a slight bitter note.

The sweeter Sansa is conventionally the better apple. Schoolbus, though, has a subtle melon flavor, almost like a sweet squash, that works its way in after switching back. 

That is unusual and satisfying.