Comments on: Peak Pick: Apples http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2008/10/peak-pick-apples/ The Official Whole Foods Market Blog Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:14:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Niamh http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2008/10/peak-pick-apples/#comment-28112 Niamh Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:53:26 +0000 http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/?p=698#comment-28112 My personal favorite is the Jazz Apple, though I like Pink Lady Apples & Sundowners too. Living in Ireland we have an even smaller selection. The only Irish apples I really eat are the ones that grow on trees in mine or my relations gardens. I'm ashamed to admit that other than that I really rely on New Zealand & France for my apples. My personal favorite is the Jazz Apple, though I like Pink Lady Apples & Sundowners too. Living in Ireland we have an even smaller selection. The only Irish apples I really eat are the ones that grow on trees in mine or my relations gardens.
I’m ashamed to admit that other than that I really rely on New Zealand & France for my apples.

]]> By: james Parker http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2008/10/peak-pick-apples/#comment-8477 james Parker Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:07:13 +0000 http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/?p=698#comment-8477 Hi Shelly- I'm sorry I didn't catch this one earlier. Thanks for reminding me about this basic staple apple- I don't believe we have seen a variety change but I have observed growers have put extra effort into putting a cosmetically perfect Granny Smith to market. This may be contributing to some of the poor flavor and texture characteristics you are encountering. Skin thickness is often a byproduct of weather- the cooler the growing conditions the thicker the skin (this can vary significantly depending on the location and elevation of the orchard) I'll add fruit sizing was extremely large last season- as a result the crop was short and this may have resulted in fruit going into boxes that would have otherwise been diverted to juice. I agree the fruit is not as great as it used to be. On the Cox's Pippin - I know the variety and agree it is excellent. There is a "Newtown" Pippin that is almost as good that you may see here in the US but it is a poor storage apple (it usually disappears in November) Hi Shelly-
I’m sorry I didn’t catch this one earlier. Thanks for reminding me about this basic staple apple- I don’t believe we have seen a variety change but I have observed growers have put extra effort into putting a cosmetically perfect Granny Smith to market. This may be contributing to some of the poor flavor and texture characteristics you are encountering. Skin thickness is often a byproduct of weather- the cooler the growing conditions the thicker the skin (this can vary significantly depending on the location and elevation of the orchard) I’ll add fruit sizing was extremely large last season- as a result the crop was short and this may have resulted in fruit going into boxes that would have otherwise been diverted to juice. I agree the fruit is not as great as it used to be.

On the Cox’s Pippin – I know the variety and agree it is excellent. There is a “Newtown” Pippin that is almost as good that you may see here in the US but it is a poor storage apple (it usually disappears in November)

]]> By: Shelley http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2008/10/peak-pick-apples/#comment-8125 Shelley Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:41:24 +0000 http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/?p=698#comment-8125 I noticed that you didn't mention Granny Smiths. What has happened to them in recent years? They used to have the same squat shape as MacIntosh and were tender and deliciously sour, but now they're huge, longer in body and pointed at the bottom like a Delicious, and the skins are twice as tough. Is it possible to find the old-fashioned Granny Smith anymore? PS The best apple I ever ate was a Cox's Orange Pippin in England. If you ever see them -- buy them! I noticed that you didn’t mention Granny Smiths. What has happened to them in recent years? They used to have the same squat shape as MacIntosh and were tender and deliciously sour, but now they’re huge, longer in body and pointed at the bottom like a Delicious, and the skins are twice as tough. Is it possible to find the old-fashioned Granny Smith anymore?

PS The best apple I ever ate was a Cox’s Orange Pippin in England. If you ever see them — buy them!

]]> By: james Parker http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2008/10/peak-pick-apples/#comment-8080 james Parker Wed, 22 Oct 2008 23:01:51 +0000 http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/?p=698#comment-8080 Thanks Carolyn and Matt- it's really hard to know where to go with these stories. Living in California I try to not be west coast-centric with the information or central theme. I've lived all over the country working for WFM and have found some great heirloom varieties everywhere (a North Carolina Rome, West Virginia Mountaineer, and a Newtown Pippin grown here in California being among my favorites). An article on hard to find hierlooms is a great idea- one I would want to get lots of help writing. If you are interested in hard to find heirloom tree fruit I suggest you try this site: http://www.treesofantiquity.com These folks are truely amazing- I got a pipppin tree from them and you would not believe the care they put into their trees and business JP Thanks Carolyn and Matt- it’s really hard to know where to go with these stories. Living in California I try to not be west coast-centric with the information or central theme. I’ve lived all over the country working for WFM and have found some great heirloom varieties everywhere (a North Carolina Rome, West Virginia Mountaineer, and a Newtown Pippin grown here in California being among my favorites). An article on hard to find hierlooms is a great idea- one I would want to get lots of help writing.

If you are interested in hard to find heirloom tree fruit I suggest you try this site:

http://www.treesofantiquity.com

These folks are truely amazing- I got a pipppin tree from them and you would not believe the care they put into their trees and business

JP

]]> By: Carolyn http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2008/10/peak-pick-apples/#comment-8072 Carolyn Wed, 22 Oct 2008 19:11:38 +0000 http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/?p=698#comment-8072 This is fantastic, I didn't know much of this information despite being a local food fan and avid fall apple-picker. Thx for a great post! This is fantastic, I didn’t know much of this information despite being a local food fan and avid fall apple-picker. Thx for a great post!

]]> By: Matt http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2008/10/peak-pick-apples/#comment-8070 Matt Wed, 22 Oct 2008 16:31:41 +0000 http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/?p=698#comment-8070 This is great information, but I'd love to see an article on heirlooms and hard-to-find apple varieties. This is great information, but I’d love to see an article on heirlooms and hard-to-find apple varieties.

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