Chestnut Crabapple

"Ugly, but sweet," said the sign for these little gems at Farmers market.

Ugly? I beg to differ.

These small ribbed apples have an orange red blush over yellow, with light green lenticels. My three tasting samples are each different. One is mostly blush, and one is mostly russet (with little blush). Today's photo showcases the one with some of everything.

"Striking" I would say. "Not airbrushed barbie-doll perfect," I grant you. But ugly? Click here (or on the photo) for the close up and say that.

I bought these firm little apples on September 9.

Chestnut's crisp coarse-grained yellow flesh is juicy and appealingly sweet. There's just a little offsetting tartness. The rich flavor, with a little pear, honey and orange juice, is even throughout. One had a hint of vanilla. These flavors harmonize very well.

Search for this variety on the web and you will find, with little or no variation, the phrase "has a pleasant nut-like flavor," dutifully reproduce as if dictated by some Pomintern Central Committee. Maybe so, but I can't find that taste, other than a whiff of vanilla. I wonder how many of these lockstep authorities take the time to eat the things they describe.

The Chestnut Crabapple is rewarding and fun to eat, and I recommend it to all. It is a little different from the norm but not challenging--this crab doesn't bite.

Update: See how Chestnut Crab stacks up when paired with an unlikely tasting partner.