Wrinkled Wickson

They are tiny, which perhaps explains how I missed these Wickson apples at the back of my produce drawer. ¶ 

They do not have the most hopeful appearance, but I had to try them. ¶ 

Verdict: Surprisingly good, though but a shadow of their best.

Despite the wrinkles, these old Wicksons have a decent texture and taste, in some ways better than the apples on sale in supermarkets.

These are as old or older but spent at least some of their winter in industrial storage. My Wicksons wintered in a plastic bag in my refrigerator.

It's not really fair to judge any apple that has been stored for nine months (or more!), and I miss very much the fresher imports we used to routinely get in the spring and summer from the southern hemisphere.

Yes, July

In July, my Wicksons are not at all mealy, though they lack autumn's crisp snap. Their flavors have melded and there is no sign of their characteristic malt note.

But they are still fruity and sweet. By contrast, the supermarket offerings this month have been hollow and unsatisfying.

I'd have had more pleasure from my Wicksons had I enjoyed them sooner, but I am glad to have them today.

The American quarter-dollar coin in my photo, shown to suggest scale, is about the same size as a one-euro piece.