This is the oldest American apple variety. Some folks say the flavor is similar to guava, and the texture is like a coconut. It has a very high sugar content, though you may not notice it due to the other complex flavors. Cider made from this apple is like nectar, it is so thick and sweet. A medium size apple with russeted skin, it is known as a leather-coat apple.
Store in a paper bag in the refrigerator.
These russet apples are great. We love heirloom russet apples in general.
We love these for fresh eating and baking. The more complex flavor and comparative tartness has made it a nice apple to alternate with the very sweet Pink Lady apples that we've also been enjoying. The russeted skin means we usually scrub them a big extra and slice them up rather than simply eating out of hand, but do be aware that they brown rather quickly. But they're so tasty, we don't really care :)
Bill and Andrea at Champlain Orchards are committed to ecological practices and are Eco-Apple certified. Due to the challenges of our Northeast climate, organic certification of apples is incredibly difficult. Their apples are never sprayed; only in the flowering stage are the trees treated using Integrated Pest Management to cut down on the risk of scab. No chemical pesticides are used on the orchards.
