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Kearsarge

This variety only grows at Gould Hill Farm in Hopkinton, New Hampshire, where it originates.

The large and slightly blocky apple is ribbed, with a streaky red blush over perhaps a third of its otherwise spring-green surface.

Green lenticels are not prominent but show as light against the blush and dark elsewhere. Its calyx is quite clenched, and it smells pleasantly sweet-tart.

Kearsarge's flesh is somewhat yielding, a light creamy yellow, medium-grained and reasonably juicy. It has mild balanced flavors: sweet cider and a faint hint of pear.

A very small amount of acidity and a weak bitter note (perhaps from the peel) are enlivening and confer a little spicy character.

Kearsarge is pleasant but unremarkable. To be fair, I should note that I sampled it some two or three weeks after Gould Hill's pick date for this variety.

The flesh oxidizes quickly.

This apple is named for Mount Kearsarge, a 2,937-foot peak visible from Gould Hill.

Comments

  1. The oxidizing factor would also be because of early picking. Green apples turn brown remarkably fast.

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    Replies
    1. Thar is a good point, Alice, generally. In this case I do not think it applies: no telltales of to-early harvesting, plus I bought these in the farm shop of the orchard that originated Kearsarge.

      Presumably they know when to pick these!

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