Nov09-Apples

Ferment! November 2009 Tasting Notes: Heritage Apples

Black Gilliflower            Weston’s Antique Apple Orchard
Unique pear-like flavor and unusual conical shape. This dark red elongated apple was discovered in Connecticut in the late 1700’s. The greenish white flesh has a peculiarly aromatic flavor pleasing to many. It is good for baking and desserts. It also stores well and is particularly suitable for drying. Ripens: Sept/Oct.

Black Willow Twig            Weston’s Antique Apple Orchard
Ultimate tart apple: Excellent for eating fresh, cooking, and cider (tannic acid adds a kick to cider). A mostly dark-red apple, tart and very firm. Originated in Arkansas (or Tennessee) and was introduced in 1833 – once very popular in the South. Yellowish flesh, juicy, aromatic. Ripens: Oct. Excellent keeper: must be stored to reach peak flavor.

Calville Blanc d'Hiver        Weston’s Antique Apple Orchard
The tender distinctive spicy flavor has the fragrance of banana. This classic dessert apple of France is a delicacy. It became a favorite of Thomas
Jefferson. With its high vitamin C content, Calville is also our favorite for pies, tarts, compotes as well as dessert at the table with a knife and good cheese. Ripens: Oct/Nov.

Golden Russet                Weston’s Antique Apple Orchard
Believed to be one of the oldest varieties in cultivation. Yellow with bronze highlights. Rich dense flesh (crisp) contains the full flavor of sugar and honey. Suitable for dessert, cooking and cider. Ripens: Oct/Nov. Keeps well.

Gravenstein                Gardens of Goodness
Possibly the oldest and most distinctive summer variety. Brought from Germany in 1790 – originated in Italy in the 1600’s. Crisp, juicy, tart, and superb for cooking and eating fresh. Yellow with areas of green & red.

King David                Weston’s Antique Apple Orchard
Cream-colored flesh is coarse and crisp with a spicy tangy wine-like flavor reminiscent of a Winesap. Some say it has a cherry flavor. This tree was first found in Washington County, Arkansas in 1893 along a fence row. The tough skin makes it good for processing (pies, sauce, cider).

Liberty                    Henry Morren Fruits
Not actually a heritage apple, but has a spritely sweet taste (crisp apple) that improves in storage (starts tart). Makes an excellent applesauce if the skin is left on. Naturally disease resistant Macoun cross.

Maiden Blush                Gardens of Goodness
Multipurpose apple good for eating, baking, cider, and ideal for drying. Pale yellow flesh is crisp and tender. One of the oldest American apples, first noted in 1827 (New Jersey). A beautiful perfectly round apple showing a contrasting bright red check on a distinctly yellow background. Ripens: Sept.

Smokehouse                Weston’s Antique Apple Orchard
Exceptionally juicy, tender, and firm – good all purpose apple tastes like fresh cider. Original tree grew up beside the smokehouse of a farmer in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Ripens: Sept.

Summer Rambo            Gardens of Goodness
French origin. The fruit can be picked while still green for frying, pies and applesauce. The fruit can be large and is often ribbed with unequal sides. Skin is greenish yellow washed with pink and carmine on the sun exposed side. The greenish yellow flesh is coarse, tender and very juicy. Ripens: Aug/Sept.

Tolman Sweet                Weston’s Antique Apple Orchard
Large, tender, and rich apple. Fall apple is good for cooking and cider. Originated in New York around 1750. Fruit has very sweet white & hard flesh. One of the sweetest apples grown. Ripens: Oct.

Please visit our website for details on these orchards and where to buy these apples.
To learn more about preserving heritage apples and other foods, visit: http://tinyurl.com/slowfoodusa-ark