5lb Bag of Empire Apples: YUM!  Empire apples are red, juicy, firm, crunchy and sweet. They ripen during September and October, and will keep until January.  The original seed was a cross between the varieties McIntosh and Red Delicious. Empire apples are excellent for eating and salads, and good for sauce, baking, pies and freezing. It is an ideal lunch-box apple, not least because it does not bruise easily.