Adam's Apples

I am pleased to introduce the second of three qualitative ratings for apples, along with 38 varieties that, in my view, deserve at least two stars (of a possible three). Two stars denote apples that are "excellent, worth seeking." Like the rest of the rating system, this judgment is based on eating qualities of the best samples that I could find. It snubs, perhaps unjustly, some varieties renowned for cooking or cider.

The best apple of the summer, Gravenstein , is at peak now in most places where it is grown. If you see this heirloom for sale this week, seize it with both hands. The same goes for Grav's sporty cousin, Red Gravenstein .

With this post I introduce the last of the apples I rate as "very good (worth choosing)" or better. All together I name 121 apples that deserve stars according to a qualitative rating system. From these I will identify a smaller number of two- and three-star apples. These ratings are based on the eating qualities of the best samples I could find. I did not have peak examples in every case, so ratings could change based on further experience.

The word on the street is that we're having another early harvest brought on by a warm spring. But here it is August and every single local apple I have had so far has been unripe. I'm still glad to have some of these, mostly, but I'd be gladder to have them ripe a week later.

Last week I introduced new qualitative ratings for apples. Today I name another 41 apples that I am evaluating. All of these deserve at least a one-star rating, which I define as "very good, worth choosing." Some will go on to win two and even three stars.

The first apples of the season are particularly welcome, but around here the selection is thin. We start in July with Lodi and Vista Bella. I am grateful for Williams Pride , which I trust will be at hand soon. I already look forward to Gravenstein later in August, when there will be many more choices. But there are other fine early varieties that we don't see. My love of Yellow Transparent , is, alas, rarely requited. I've never found any Pristine for sale in the Boston area.

With this post I am pleased to introduce a qualitative rating system for apples. I also list about a third of the apples I have tried that are, in my view, worthy of at least one of three stars. I resisted this idea as hubris and clutter for a long time, but have come to see it as another helpful way to organize the ever-growing content here. I should nonetheless be distressed were these ratings to dissuade people from trying and liking all sorts of apples on their own terms, my opinions notwithstanding. I hope the ratings will encourage some readers to try and to appreciate something new.