NY 1229*

Does it look big?

Today's handsome apple is a hefty 12 inches around. Its name, a mere number, betrays the fact that it has not been released as a branded variety by the New York State apple breeding program at Cornell.

1229 is symmetrical and classically tapered, with a warm red blush that is streaky at times over a green-tinged yellow. 

Its many tan lenticel dots are slightly raised, and its calyx is wide enough to let me see the remains of the fruit's stamens, souvenirs of apple youth.

Crunch ahoy

NY 1229 begins with a satisfying breaking crunch. Its light yellow flesh is juicy and coarse-grained, and carries more sweetness than tart, along with moderate but interesting flavors

First there is a floral note, rounded out with a little cream soda. Then a savory note that, combined with the cream soda, suggests coconut. 

There is even something a bit like peach or butterscotch in this fruity mix.

I have to wonder if this is Cornell's attempt, or one of them, to reply to Honeycrisp.

If so, I would say that that 1229 is in many ways the better apple, with more character and flavor, and a crunch that is more than decent. 

But it is not going to dethrone the Saccharine One, as it is neither explosively crisp nor tooth-achingly sweet.

The fate of 1229

There is no information about this variety online. That could mean it is under wraps and will someday see the light of day with a trendy name like Buttercrisp or Juicycrunch.

(To be fair, Cornell has generally shown more trademark flair than that.)

More likely, however, 1229 is a commercial dead end, retained perhaps for breeding purposes but never destined to be trademarked or marketed.

Cornell has relationships with many growers in the Empire State, who sometimes grow unnamed varieties, under development and otherwise.

Many thanks to my Big Apple corespondent, who snagged this one for me.