What early apples do you like? I've collected 15 interesting early-summer apples on this (clickable) board:
Follow Adam's Apples's board Apples of July and August on Pinterest.It's a handy way to organize these reviews. Each pin links back to a description here.
The board is in chronological order, so you can watch for these varieties as they ripen in your part of the world.
There are more than these 15 early varieties available of course! Here are longer lists for July and for August (apple reviews and other seasonal).
Also, my seasonal guide links to reviews and other information organized by season and month.
What are your favorite apples of the early summer?
Cool, I'm going to acquire scions of some of those. It's hard to find a lot of variety out here in California, so mostly I have to grow them to try. Williams' Pride is very promising. It's surprisingly astringent. Hard to beat the birds to them. That deep red is like a beak beacon.
ReplyDeleteI would add Chestnut crab for sure, ripe here in August, but then I like them before they go "nutty". In fact I've already had one that was pretty good. The nutty flavor doesn't appeal to me and comes later in the season. It's okay with cheese, but just for munching I find it out of place and distracting. Earlier in the season, they have a lively, bright flavor that is very refreshing.
Kerry Pippin is worth a look, though I'm finding it a bit acidic this year. Rich for an early apple
I've been a little disappointed in Golden Nugget, but they seem to be a little better this year and I'd bet that they are much better in a cooler climate. My disappointment may be due to unreasonably high expectations it being a cross between Golden Russet and Cox's Orange Pippin, which remain two of the best apples I've ever tasted. I just ate one and it was actually quite good... "for the end of July" at least. If it was fall, it probably wouldn't be an apple I'd bother much with, but if I had a fridge full of them now, I think I'd be munching my way through a lot of them.
Sunrise is worth a try if a person can find it. It has been a little lacking in acid to balance the flavor in the past, making it somewhat insipid but it is capable of some interesting flavors, which can be rich for an early apple, august here. texture is good too. Still evaluating this one. If it was consistently more acidic I think it would be a winner. I'm still hoping it will shape up as the tree matures more.
I like William's Pride, though mine gets water core really bad--the apples are still good. I also like Striped June, but I don't think it's common. It ripens very early.
ReplyDeleteWith a name like "Striped June," I'll bet it's early, What is that one like?
DeleteI am seeing water core this summer, disproving my wrong-headed notion that it was something associated with apples that stay on the tree longer.