So you like McIntosh

If you read this in September and are enjoying McIntosh, you are in good company. This quintessential New England apple, crisp, flavorful, and juicy with plenty of sugar and tart, is a classic. ¶ 

But what do you eat in October or August? And what other apples might you like? ¶ 

If you don't know, or would like to broaden your horizons, here are my suggestions.

From the start of the apple season in July, many early varieties vie for the McIntosh crown: Jersey Mac and innumerable generic "Early Mac" apples. In my experience these do not live up to their promise. Of the very early varieties, Paula Red probably evokes McIntosh best.

Novamac

Novamac, which is half McIntosh itself, is an even better early Mac variety, but does not mature until about a week before you can get the real thing.

Consider, too, Jonamac, another Mac hybrid available around the end of August.

You may also appreciate Vista Bella, often the first apple of the year, and Gravenstein, a really excellent summer variety. Click the links for descriptions.

McIntosh is more than 100 years old and sits at the head of a whole family of vinous, Mac-like apples. I particularly prize Macoun, a daughter of Mac; click for a head-to-head comparison of the two.

Hampshire

But you might also like Brock, Burgundy, Cortland, Davey, Empire, Empress, Enterprise, Fortune, Freedom, Hampshire, Liberty, Shamrock, handsome Spartan, Spencer, and Tydeman's Early. Mac descendants all.

Hampshire is particularly attractive and a bit later; Enterprise, later still, is a great keeper. Hard-to-find Davey is a wonderfully balanced apple with great texture and flavors that could (maybe) give Grandpapa Mac a run for his money.

Of historical interest is Fameuse, also known as Snow. It is sometimes named as McIntosh's parent and has many of the same crisp vinous qualities.

Empire

McIntosh is grown in sufficient quantity for the wholesale market, and is for sale in supermarkets through June in some parts of the country. But though controlled storage preserves Mac's crunch, it loses flavor over time.

Sadly, there isn't a really good substitute for the Mac in the off season, though Empire, and its generic vinous and berry qualities, are widely available most of the year in supermarkets.

If your mouth loves the Mac, congratulations! You can probably enjoy almost any eating apple, and I encourage you to be adventurous. The above picks are at least a little Mac like.

Pomme Gris

But don't be limited by that! Try some of the great heirlooms, such as Esopus Spitzenberg and Cox's Orange Pippin. Feast on some of the russets in October, November and (if you put some away) December.

Let this blog be your guide, or just follow your nose. Learn more about what you like. Give your sophisticated palate its head and it will lead you on a real adventure.