Flower of Kent *

Heads up!

This apple, according to a charming story, is the same variety that conked Isaac Newton's noggin in 1666.

It might even be true.

What's certain is that Flower of Kent is an apple of great antiquity.

Regard this round, medium sized, notably ribbed apple with a subdued crimson blush over yellow and (mostly) spring green.

It is tilted slightly towards us because the calyx end (which is shut tight) bulges out just a bit.

That calyx is clenched shut, surrounded by tiny crenelations.

The Flower's streaky blush produces variegated shades of red. Orange peeks through where thin red washes over yellow; brownish red where over green. It is satiny rather than glossy.

Tiny light lenticel dots decorate the blush. The Flower, unbroken, has a lovely sweet fragrance.

Tasting the Flower

White medium-grained  flesh tinged with green is well balanced, crisp, and quite pleasant. The flesh has a slightly granular quality to it but is breaking crisp.

The Flower is, indeed, mildly floral, sweet with subdued balancing tartness and a faint peppery bitter note from the peel. There are very faint vanilla and spice notes.

I'd heard this was a baking apple, so this is not at all what I was expecting. FoK has some very pleasant eating qualities. 

But I should note that another sample was off, soft and a on the road to mealy, while this one had watercore along one side.

I have based this account solely on the good part of the good apple. The mushy one was not so great to eat, practically dissolving and leaving the bitter peel, but had a creamy quality and left a pleasant vanilla aftertaste

That's what this apple tastes like. Questions about Sir Isaac's head, and other things about this apple, got to be so involved that I am reserving my research for another post.