Rosalee *

This is a large apple, a little broad in the beam but still slightly tapered.

It has a subdued "dusty" orange-red blush that is a kind of streaky over light lemon yellow. The streaks are streaked with a very fine brush.

Some of the unblushed areas, which are small, have a green tinge, and the peel shines in the light.

You have to look close to see small tan lenticel dots, but there are a lot of them. There is really no ribbing to speak of, and the calyx is partially open. The short stem is thin.

Inside Story

Beneath the peel, the crunch is breaking crisp, but light, and the flesh is a coarse-grained yellow, juicy.

There is a floral note with a dash of lychee. The combination of these, or maybe a third flavor, also has a faint savory quality to it. The tastes are not strong.

The sweet-tart balance is good and allows these delicate flavors to emerge. They do not clobber you, or bowl you over, but are easy to take. There is a pleasantly astringent finish.

I rate Rosalee as an easy apple, and her crunch is great.

Rosalee, a modern variety still under patent, is a product of the ccoperative breeding program of the Midwest Apple Improvement Association.