Trailman vs Centennial Crabapple Smackdown

Fate, in the form of a care package from Indiana, brought these two tiny August apples to me at the same time last month.

And, they are kind of similar.

At left, the excellent Trailman Crabapple, right, developed in Manitoba and grown as far north as Alaska.

Bigger, glossier Centennial Crabapple came into the world with the assistance of the University of Minnesota.

They are similarly colored and both have coarse-grained juicy flesh.

Look at those skinny little stems! Regular apples would fall off the tree with stems like that.

The fruits are yellow with a peach-colored blush. Centennial's blush is just a little redder, and its peel is glossy where Trailman is more matte.

Trailman is maybe 1.25 inches tall versus Centennial's 2.

It is crunchy crisp with fizzy spice, malty sweet.

Centennial has a similar crunch, perhaps a shade softer. Its flavors are less defined, but the Cent is sweet and spicy with fruity citrus.

Both are generically floral.

Switching back and forth emphasizes Centennial's rich fruitiness and Trailman's more-acid spice.

I can't tell, but Centennial's texture may have deteriorated just a bit in transit.

I can't alternate bites as much as I would like because these are so small! But a few of these little guys are a feast.

So, who wins the bout? Trailman by a nose, but both are very good.

(All judgments are provisional. If your findings vary, let us know in comments!)

PeteSeptember 9, 2022 at 10:01 PM
Great comparison Adam. While they're similarity in appearance, there's significant variance in taste profiles and texture. While both are excellent eaters, Trailman has a crisp breaking texture and taste (unlike any other early apple). Centennial, even straight from the tree, has a little more give when eaten, and as you mentioned, a much fuller fruity taste. Looking forward to trying cider from both once the trees increase production.

Adam's Apples