Xuanina is a high-vigor, precocious, and productive tree. It crops annually and it is resistant to scab, but somewhat susceptible to powdery mildew. The bloom and ripening times are both late. Xuanina is used mainly in cider production in Spain, but it is also suitable for fresh eating.

This is an Asturian cider (sidra) apple, approved by The Regulatory Council of Origin Cider of Asturias. The fruit is a medium-sized, conical apple with a green background striped orange-red. It yields a sharp (ácido) juice (pH ~ 3.3; TA ~ 7.0 g/L; tannins ~ 1.1 g/L). (The traditional Spanish cider apple classifications are ácido, semiácido, dulce, amargo, ácido-amargo, amargo-ácido semiácido-amargo, amargo-semiácido, dulce-amargo.)

Spanish cider apples have not yet been widely tested in the United States, but the native climate of these apples should be taken into consideration. Asturias enjoys abundant year-round rainfall, mild summers, and temperate winters. Costal winter temperatures are typically in the 50s and summer temperatures are in the 70s.