Adam's Apples

Today's bout pits an apple against its sport to see if there is any meaningful difference other than color. Paula Red (L) and Dandee Red. Sports are genetic mutations of existing varieties. Typically they are just redder or earlier or something like that. Occasionally the differences are great enough to yield a variety that feels wholly original, as with Lucky Rose Golden . Is Dandee one of those? Paula is probably the best early-summer McIntosh -type apple, so whatever the outcome I look forward to eating it and its mutant clone.

Dandee is a large and slightly ribbed apple with a handsome saturated blush that covers nearly all of an otherwise green yellow peel. The blush is a rich crimson with some purple. A smoky blue bloom adds visual interest. Light lenticels run from large to small to indistinguishable.