Apples of June (2011)

The crop of southern-hemisphere apples that usually arrives in late April or May was, at last, in full cry in June.

I don't know whether it is freshness or terroir or something else, but the Chilean Granny Smiths were much better--crisper, more complex--than their Washington State counterparts.

Elusive Lady Alice continued to be available in June (and into July).

This late in the year, Alice's marvelous flavors are either attenuated or missing (no sign of that wonderful malt note, for instance). She is nonetheless still satisfyingly crisp, if more-delicately so. A pity not to have had these in March, though.

The Empires are done.

In June you can buy apples that are are hard, crisp, juicy, satisfying and (except for Granny) so sweet you can barely tell what else they taste like besides sugar.

Don't think I am not grateful. But more than anything else, they make me look forward to the first local apple of 2011.

Any day now.

This is the last of my retrospective series, looking back at each month as a guide to what might be in season, starting last July.

However, every harvest is different. See also my what-to-buy posts (here is June's).

But mostly, eat what looks good, and try something new if you can.