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Medium-sized Sutton Beauty has a dark red blush, a little dull and a little streaky, speckled with small tan lenticels that are grouped mostly away from the deepest-blushed region.
The peel is a lively spring green but nearly entirely covered.
Sutton is classically shaped and has only a hit of ribbing visible at the base.
In hand it is rock hard and has a strong aroma of sweet cider.
Inside off-white flesh is crisp, slightly coarse-grained, and very juicy, breaking off in nice chunks.
Well-balanced flavors are mild and bear cane sugar, and, early on, floral notes followed by some vinousness. There is a fleeting hint of something faintly like corn or grain.
The peel persists and lends a more vegetable quality to the finish. There is a very pleasant astringency.
This is a delightful and attractive old-fashioned apple whose crisp sweetness ought to appeal to modern tastes. I will be looking for more next fall.
This variety originated in 19th Century Sutton, Massachusetts. It is not the English variety that sometimes bears the same name (more often called Dumelow's Seedling).
The Town of Sutton helpfully identifies the Waters homestead, now a historic site, as the location of the original tree (map).
Do you know where to find root grafts of this?
ReplyDeleteRoot grafts, basically baby trees, would be a tall order for such an obscure (but good!) variety. However if you can find budwood perhaps a local nursery would make some for you.
DeleteBudwood alone is still a challenge for a heritage apple like Sutton. The conservation orchard at Tower Hill, in Boylston, is unfortunately still recovering from a wave of fireblight and is not providing wood. You might try Sturbridge Village, and Fedco in Maine.
It's a bit late in the season, but good luck!