The Apple Varietal
Most would agree that one of the best parts of the fall season is the availability of many wonderful varieties of apples. They come in many colors, have complex or subtle flavors and are suited to different uses depending on their characteristics. Everyone has their favorite from the typical Granny Smith and Red Delicious to the lesser known Ginger Gold and Baya Marisa varieties.
Growing up, our family would visit local orchards every fall to pick apples (and usually pumpkins, but we’ll save that for later this month.) We would mix and match trying to get nearly every type that grew in that orchard. Back home my mom would slice up one of each apple into bite size pieces and arrange each variety in its own bowl on the counter, with a whole apple of the same variety behind the bowl. Our annual apple tasting was one of my personal favorites; a chance to see if my taste buds had changed and to try any new apples that the orchard may have acquired previously.
So as I enjoyed the fruits of fall this weekend, I thought how perfect it would be to share with the world a few of my favorites. Try a tasting for yourself, either blind or with descriptions to help guide you to find your favorite, it just might surprise you to realize your longtime “favorite” may have changed.
Braeburn– A crispy and juicy dessert apple it was first discovered in the 1950’s in New Zealand. Has a wonderful full apple flavor with a hint of pear, sharp and sweet but never sugary. Available starting late October, is best when picked midseason. Keeps for a fairly long time after picking up to 170 days.
Ginger Gold– A decendant of Golden Delicious this variety was discovered in Virginia in the 1960’s. It has an early growing season with prime picking from mid-late August. Apples have a distinct sharp flavor but still just sweet enough. Will keep up to 105 days after picking.
Granny Smith– This variety is one of the most recognizable of all apples. Discovered and marketed from Australia in the late 1800’s, this apple is very versatile in eating and cooking capabilities. Tart flavor, crisp and juicy make this one of the most popular of all varieties. It has a late season available in early November and lasts for a remarkably long time nearly 200 days.
Honeycrisp- My personal favorite, is a medium-large apple bred to withstand the extremely cold winters of the northern US. The light green to yellow undertone topped with red pink overtone holds within an apple bursting with sweetness and less dense crispness unlike most others. Ripe in mid September this is apple lasts well after its picking season and remains flavorful even when kept at cold temperatures.
Liberty- This modern American apple was bred from a parentage including the Macoun variety and has a distinct McIntosh style. It is a juicy well balanced apple with availability in late September.
Pink Lady®- Probably one of if not the best known modern apple. This variety has succeeded with the aid of brand marketing keeping quality high and imposters at bay. It grows best in warm climates and shares characteristics with Golden Delicious its parent variety. Its season is late November but has a very long shelf life making it more readily available.
Winter Banana- I added this for fun although I have never had one but I also love bananas so its principles sound intriguing. It is named for its banana like quality. Available from late October with a relatively long shelf life it appears to be somewhat susceptible to many diseases. If you can find one, try it out!
“Apple – Braeburn – Tasting Notes, Where to Buy Fruit and Trees.” Apples, Plums, Cherries – Flavors, Tasting Notes, Identification, Fruit Trees for Sale. 21 May 2011. Web. 04 Oct. 2011. <http://www.orangepippin.com/apples/braeburn>.
“Apple – Ginger Gold – Tasting Notes, Identification, Review This Apple Tree.” Apples, Plums, Cherries – Flavors, Tasting Notes, Identification, Fruit Trees for Sale. 29 Aug. 2011. Web. 04 Oct. 2011. <http://www.orangepippin.com/apples/ginger-gold>.
“Apple – Granny Smith – Tasting Notes, Where to Buy Fruit and Trees.” Apples, Plums, Cherries – Flavors, Tasting Notes, Identification, Fruit Trees for Sale. 31 Aug. 2011. Web. 04 Oct. 2011. <http://www.orangepippin.com/apples/granny-smith>.
“Apple – Honeycrisp – Tasting Notes, Where to Buy Fruit and Trees.” Apples, Plums, Cherries – Flavors, Tasting Notes, Identification, Fruit Trees for Sale. 23 Sept. 2011. Web. 04 Oct. 2011. <http://www.orangepippin.com/apples/honey-crisp>.
“Apple – Liberty – Tasting Notes, Where to Buy Fruit and Trees.” Apples, Plums, Cherries – Flavors, Tasting Notes, Identification, Fruit Trees for Sale. 7 Jan. 2011. Web. 04 Oct. 2011. <http://www.orangepippin.com/apples/liberty>.
“Apple – Pink Lady® – Tasting Notes, Identification, Review This Apple Tree.” Apples, Plums, Cherries – Flavors, Tasting Notes, Identification, Fruit Trees for Sale. 21 May 2011. Web. 04 Oct. 2011. <http://www.orangepippin.com/apples/pinklady>.
“Apple – Winter Banana – Tasting Notes, Identification, Review This Apple Tree.” Apples, Plums, Cherries – Flavors, Tasting Notes, Identification, Fruit Trees for Sale. 9 Jan. 2011. Web. 04 Oct. 2011. <http://www.orangepippin.com/apples/winter-banana>.
Krawczyk, G. PA Tree Fruit Production Guide. University Park: Publications Distribution Center, 2010. College of Agricultural Sciences %u2014 Penn State University. Pennsylvania State University. Web. 03 Oct. 2011. <http://agsci.psu.edu/tfpg>.
