Monday, November 7, 2016

Edible Antiques: Snow White's Apple

Could this be the apple that tempted Snow White?
Photo: Chronica Domus


During Saturday morning's foray to the farmers' market, I was stopped in my tracks by the sight of an apple.  The apple in question was not just any old apple, mind you.  It boasted a hue so deep and dark it could almost pass for a plum.  I had an overwhelming urge to bite into one right there and then. The two women standing beside me filling their brown paper bags with these bewitching fruits exclaimed to each other "They look just like Snow White's apple".  I had to agree with them.

Malus domestica 'Arkansas Black'
Photo: Chronica Domus


In chatting to the farmer, I discovered that this early-nineteenth century cultivar is known as an Arkansas Black apple and provides quite a challenge to grow.  In fact, he told me it was a "real pain" which might explain the scarcity of this particular variety in our area.  Apparently, his finicky thirty-five year old tree is not usually a heavy producer but this year's optimal weather conditions yielded an unusually large crop.  How lucky for us, his farmers' market patrons.

Have you ever seen such a dark-hued apple?
Photo: Chronica Domus

Upon my return home, I could not wait to cut into the glossy dark skin of this beautiful heirloom and photograph it for your pleasure.  Biting into the green tinged creamy-colored flesh proved to be a very good thing indeed.  I can tell you the flavor was nothing short of delicious. With just the right balance of  sweet and sour, and as crunchy and juicy as one would expect from a perfectly ripened autumn apple, Arkansas Black proved an excellent choice among the sea of apples available for sale at the market.  I just know my daughter will agree when she finds one tucked into her lunch box today.

Have you had the pleasure of sampling one of these black beauties, or do you have a favorite "go to" eating apple you look forward to snacking upon at this time of year?


24 comments:

  1. Ah - this might be a doubled up comment

    I am curious to try this apple that has great looks!
    I may be biased but the best apples I have ever tried are from Korea and Japan and most tourists tend to agree. They are just the perfect balance of tart and sweet and smooth and crunch. I usually have it as a dessert when in Korea and prefer that to any chocolatey mousse concoction. Apples here are ok and I have found a few that I don't mind but truth be told they only make me miss my korean apples even more...

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    1. Oh, I can only imagine how delectable Korean apples taste (never seen one for sale in San Francisco). The only Japanese apple I've sampled is the sweet and crunchy Fuji which is one of my favorites.

      Years ago, the apples I used to eat in England were divine but I'm not sure what has happened to them of late. Perhaps EU policies have had something to do with this.

      Can't beat a British Cox or Bramley though.

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  2. The Arkansas Black is a good apple. Two of my favorite apples are the Albemarle Pippin and Roxbury Russet. So good.

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    1. Hello Janet,

      Last year, my husband's colleague gave him an Albemarle Pippin to bring home as she knew that we are both admirers of Thomas Jefferson and the apple is claimed to be his favorite variety. I was so excited to sample the fruit that I made my husband promise not to eat it until I had the time to photograph it for a blog post. Unfortunately, to my horror, by the time I got around to it the apple was long past its prime. I could have kicked myself! I've not seen one for sale in our area but I am hoping our dear friend will find another to give us this autumn.

      I've not had the pleasure of sampling a Roxbury Russet but now that I know of its existence would dearly love to try it.

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    2. Next time you must get a taste.

      At Monticello they say the Albemarle Pippin and the Esopus Spitzenburg were Jefferson's favorite apples. He praised the Taliaferro for its cider, which he likened to champagne.

      If you are in Virginia in the fall, check for the apple tasting that's held at one of Jefferson's farms. With luck, you'll be treated to a taste of all of Jefferson's favorites save the Taliaferro, which may be lost now.

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    3. Hello Janet,

      You are making me want to visit Virginia during the fall more than ever. The prospect of tasting such highly esteemed apples is now high on my list, thank you.

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  3. What a pretty apple. I have never seen or tasted one but my current favorite apple is Honey Crisp. Someone in my office brought in an apple today and told us it was a variety that supposedly has a bit of mango flavor to it. I did not notice that in the small sample I tried.
    Karen

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    1. Hello Karen,

      Honey Crisps are indeed delicious. I've been on a Fuji kick lately and can't get enough of them. I believe the two apples are similar in taste.

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  4. Snow White's apple indeed - beautiful! My favorite eating apple (as was my father's) has always been the McIntosh, although some of the McIntosh in the stores don't taste like they used to. The best ones for baking apple pie are Yorks - decidedly not pretty, very asymmetrical but perfect for baking. I've not found them in stores but occasionally at the farmers market. Consequently, we always pick our own at the orchard.

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    1. Hello slf,

      York, another apple I was unaware existed, and which sounds perfect from what you say for pie making. I'm always a bit weary of those shiny, spherically-perfect apples of the same size displayed in rows at the supermarkets and avoid them like the plague. Much prefer the real deal straight from the orchard or the farmers' market with all their warts and lopsidedness.

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  5. Hello CD, You by now certainly know my admiration for old fruit varieties. By exploring old farmland I have discovered many favorites such as White Winter Pearmain, which seems to be the opposite of your black discovery, but the quality is outstanding. In New England, look out for Macoun apples, which are a never to be forgotten experience, although they don't seem to grow as well elsewhere.

    You have a good chance of finding your Albemarle Pippin, originally called the Newtown Pippin, one of the most famous early American varieties. It is still grown in California--look for Newtown Pippin, Yellow Newtown, or Green Newtown, which are all synonyms (or minor varietal variations) of the Albemarle.
    --Jim

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    1. Hello Jim,

      You've made me want to go on the hunt for all the apple varieties you write about in your comment, thank you. However, I've yet to see any of them for sale in our area, but that won't stop me looking for them on my travels. And, now that I know the Albemarle Pippin is also called a Newtown Pippin, Yellow Newtown or Green Newtown, I will be extra vigilant.

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    2. Hello Jim,

      Out and about on my travels this past weekend, I spotted Macoun apples for sale in the Bay Area's best and most varied grocery store (located in Berkeley - and it is where all the chefs go for those "hard to find" ingredients). I had to buy a few on your recommendation and boy, were you correct. A never-to-be-forgotten experience, indeed! Crisp and sweet, with the most attractive rosy-red skin, I was bowled over. Thanks for the recommendation.

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  6. What a gorgeous apple. And beautiful photography! Looks like a still life painting. I'm partial to Honey Crisps. The local Ontario apples are out right now. What a treat!

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    1. Why, thank you, Jen Lawrence. One does try one's best to capture an inspiring image to illustrate one's posts so it is very kind of you to say you enjoyed the photographs. Now, if I could only figure out all the fancy little buttons on my point-and-shoot perhaps my photography would improve.

      I bet your local apples taste particularly sweet having endured the famously cold Canadian winters.

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  7. Almost too pretty to eat! It is hard to believe that apples orginated in the mountains of Kazakhstan when we think of them being the quintessential American fruit. I am so glad they are cultivating more heirloom varieties. We live quite close to the house where the original owner cultivated the Concord grape over 200 years ago. Regrettably he died impoverished although Welch's turned it into a cash crop.
    Best,
    KL Gaylin

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    1. Hello KL Gaylin,

      Yes, almost too pretty, but not quite!

      I just listened to something on the radio where the narrator stated that there are many countries around the globe that consider the apple their country's quintessential fruit (ask any Englishman). The reason for this is that the fruit adapts well to many climates, which makes the fact that it started out life in Kazakhstan a little surprising. The narrator also said that Almaty, the capital city of Kazakhstan, means "city of apples", a reminder of the fruit's origin.

      I've yet to sample Concord grapes so must be on the look out for them, thank you.

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  8. Gorgeous. In all the years of growing fruit in the WAY South, just a bit across the River from Arkansas, I've never heard of this one.

    With your photos and evocative description, it would BE worth risking a long nap for.

    r

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    1. Hello racheld,

      Now I've given you something to seek out in your area so get thee to thy nearest market pronto.

      If you are close to Benton County, even better, as the Arkansas Black apple originated there. Do let me know if you find one or two and if you enjoyed their taste. How could you not?

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  9. I received this comment in email so thank you to Anonymous who wrote it:

    November 8, 2016 at 8:33 AM

    Concord grapes are hard to find fresh even in MA. They have seeds and many prefer their grapes seedless. Most of the crop is harvested for jelly and juice. If you are fortunate to dine some, they make a dandy pie.

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  10. this is indeed would be Snow White's choice - it looks delicious. There are so many varieties of Apple, most of which have gone out of fashion or are not commercial enough. In the supermarket there are but half a dozen varieties at the most. My favourite is a Cox's Orange Pippin.

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    1. Hello elaine,

      Yes, it would be difficult to conjure up an apple that would make a better fit for Snow White's apple than this one.

      I love the flavor of Cox apples in the UK and I'm saddened that so many other wonderful British apples have been lost over time because they are not profitable for the farmers. I'm certain that EU quotas have something to do with this.

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  11. That is indeed the most perfect apple! I'm certain it's probably better for you with antioxidants galore in that dark red skin. My favourite apple is a Fuji, which is nice and crisp. My main complaint with apples these days are that they are too big. Enormous fruit that are hard to bite into - the smaller varieties also suit my children's lunch boxes too, so I am always on the lookout at the grocer to see if they have any smaller sized ones.

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    1. Hello Heidi,

      I adore Fuji apples too, so sweet and crunchy. I share your dislike for large apples and try to avoid buying them at the supermarket if I can. Having an excellent weekly farmers' market helps as no two apples for sale there are alike in size or shape, just the way Mother Nature intended.

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