The first apples of the season are particularly welcome, but around here the selection is thin. We start in July with Lodi and Vista Bella.
I am grateful for Williams Pride, which I trust will be at hand soon. I already look forward to Gravenstein later in August, when there will be many more choices.
But there are other fine early varieties that we don't see. My love of Yellow Transparent, is, alas, rarely requited. I've never found any Pristine for sale in the Boston area.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Saturday, July 28, 2012
One-star apples
With this post I am pleased to introduce a qualitative rating system for apples. I also list about a third of the apples I have tried that are, in my view, worthy of at least one of three stars.

I resisted this idea as hubris and clutter for a long time, but have come to see it as another helpful way to organize the ever-growing content here.
I should nonetheless be distressed were these ratings to dissuade people from trying and liking all sorts of apples on their own terms, my opinions notwithstanding.
I hope the ratings will encourage some readers to try and to appreciate something new.

I resisted this idea as hubris and clutter for a long time, but have come to see it as another helpful way to organize the ever-growing content here.
I should nonetheless be distressed were these ratings to dissuade people from trying and liking all sorts of apples on their own terms, my opinions notwithstanding.
I hope the ratings will encourage some readers to try and to appreciate something new.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Big fat tease
Monday, July 23, 2012
Rededication
In my first post four years ago today, I proposed "to blog a year of apples" to test the proposition that "blogging about apples will be a fun way to use the web to view the world."
This project began as self-directed professional development, to learn not only about apples but also about writing for online media like blogs.
My first "year of apples" is long past and my professional-growth mission is largely accomplished. So, what am I doing here, besides having fun?
This project began as self-directed professional development, to learn not only about apples but also about writing for online media like blogs.
My first "year of apples" is long past and my professional-growth mission is largely accomplished. So, what am I doing here, besides having fun?
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Impossibly early
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Impossibly early Vista Bella apples for sale from Nicewicz Family Farm earlier today at Arlington's Farmers Market. |
Dear Farmer: Tweet your fruit

Tweet your fruit with Twitter. And, to kick it up a notch, use the #atmkt hashtag.
During the harvest season I always want to know: Who has my favorite apple varieties? And when are they ripe?
Friday, July 6, 2012
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
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