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Besides the blush, this apple is really two-toned: a banana yellow (sure enough) tinged a little with green, and a distinctly green-yellow hue. Flecked with brown lenticels, the resemblance to the long tropical fruit is clear, if not necessarily obvious.
The blush is small, a light pink whose translucency, over the yellow, makes a peachy orange. The general effect is striking.
The apple runs medium to large and is ribbed and slightly conical. The skin is naturally waxy. A week off the tree it is firm and has a sweet grassy fragrance.
Banana's flesh is dense and hard, a medium-fine-grained creamy light yellow. The texture makes for a very crisp mouthful.
WB's flavors are mild and balanced with very little tartness or acidity. These are succulent and fruity, with pear notes and a little spice. The peel is chewy.
I do not find any banana, by the way.
Warning: This is a hard, dense apple. I like that but not everyone does.
Here's another Winter Banana with a blush, this one from Tower Hill.
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I've stashed a few of these away to see how they do over time. The texture reminds me a little of another long keeper, and the flavor might improve with age. (Update: Here's my report on that.)
Tower Hill puts Winter Banana's birthplace at Adamsboro, Indiana about 1876. Many sources report a banana flavor or aroma; others do not.
I am growing this type of apple(new this year) as it is a good pollinator. I also planted Liveland Raspberry, Burgandy and Westfield Seek no further. All planted this year, so it will be awhile.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could find a few of these this year. Good luck with your orchard.
DeleteWe had winter bananas when I was a kid. They were designated "keepers" in the old days. You put them aside and then they softened--by January/February--something to eat during the long upstate NY winters. Thanks for posting!
ReplyDeleteJuliet, thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThese are still pretty welcome in January. I wish I'd found some this year.
I find the description "a hard, dense apple" completely baffling. Ours are soft and mushy unless picked early and under ripe. Flavor's fantastic, fruity, and unique, but wife hates the soft texture, so they're all mine.
ReplyDeleteWe had these in the orchard (Wayne Co, NY) and my brother and I used to pick up the windfalls after a freeze, peel off the skin with our teeth, and effectively have apple sherbet.
ReplyDeleteI can well believe it, knowing their texture! I'll bet you could do much the same with Arkansas Black.
DeleteOne distinctive thing about the appearance of winter banana in my experience is the presence of a suture line, though I've heard it's not always there. It also blushes beautifully when left on the tree long enough. I hope I get to taste one again sometime!
ReplyDeleteI think these make excellent pies, I try to buy some every year. My local (SE Wisconsin) source had none last year; with luck maybe 2024 will be better. I'll find out in about 6 weeks...
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