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Ruby Mac is on the small side of large, classically shaped with varying degrees of ribbing (one very ribbed, the other moderately so).
The dark red blush is a little dull and more even than that of many in the McIntosh family. Coverage is nearly complete, with just a few spots of light yellow-green peel where the sun didn't shine.
Tiny light lenticels are nearly invisible in the darkest regions of the blush, and the peel has a satiny finish.
A dusty bloom, patchy and thin, adds more visual interest. The apple itself is pretty firm in hand.
The flesh is more fine-grained than coarse and quite juicy, tinted green, and crisp though not hard. The flavors are balanced, though with some pleasing tartness, and present vinous flavors.
There's also a little bit of raspberry, a nice touch, and some spice in the finish.
Ruby is clearly part of the Mac clan, distinguishing itself with some bright clean flavors. Note that the green-tinted flesh suggests my samples may be a bit early.
The seller describes Ruby Mac as a McIntosh x Rubinstar cross. But many other sources say that Ruby Mac is really a just sport of McIntosh, just as Rubinstar is a sport of Jonagold.
If so, its real name is "B. Thome McIntosh." More information in the 2006 patent.
Several other growers, on their web sites, take up the Rubinstar story, but I am tentatively persuaded by my tasting that "B. Thome" is most likely correct.
(Note, also, that "RubInstar, with an i, is not the same as recently reviewed RubEnstar, with an e. At least if the growers can be believed.)
It's not an infallible test, but Ruby tastes wholly of the McIntosh family, without a hint of Jonagold or its parents.
We grow a few RubyMacs in our 300+acre orchard. They are my personal favorite and people that like McIntosh love these, and don't forget the beautiful color of the flesh!
ReplyDelete@anon: Don't be shy, if you'd like to post information about your orchard here, go ahead (or email me and I will do it). Got a web page?
DeleteI'd be interested to know if you can shed light on the whole Rubinstar vs. sport thing.
plant few trees this year .trees look good.will have some apples in 2016. I will post again.
Delete@Jarnail, good luck with your trees!
ReplyDeleteDo farmers sell these as Macs or do they usually distinguish them and market the apples as RubyMacs?
ReplyDeleteMine was clearly labeled as Ruby Mac.
DeleteTheir appearance is different enough from that of regular McIntosh that marketing them as Macs could be confusing.
And then there is the whole Rubinstar thing.
But if course I don’t know what most growers do.
Looking for a good recipe for these
ReplyDeleteDo Ruby Macs ever exhibit red flesh or are they typically colored? A co-worker just sliced up what he thought was a Mac and it was quite red inside. I'm wondering if there are any Mac varieties with red flesh.
ReplyDeleteIt's not uncommon for an apple with a heavy saturated blush to bleed a little into the flesh. I'm not sure I've ever seen this in McIntosh, but maybe.
DeleteThat is a whole different things, however, from a red-fleshed apple on the order of a Pink Pearl or an Almata. I am not aware of any member of the extended Mac family with that characteristic.
I read that Fameus or Snow Apple, (a French variety) is in the parentage of this variety. If so, that would account for the pinkish stains in the flesh, as that is quite characteristic of Snow Apples.
Delete@writerdeman: It's unclear whether this apple is a Mac x Rubinstar cross, or if it is just a sport of McIntosh. Fameuse is widely thought to be a parent of the Mac.
DeleteI haven't had extensive experience with McIntosh, but my mom always prefers them for applesauce because of its flavor, of course, but also because it is always a lovely pink colour. I remember having seen streaks of pink in them regularly, as well as pink veins near the core.
ReplyDeleteThey are classics! As noted above, however, it is not clear that Ruby Mac is a McIntosh, or just a member of the family.
Delete