Apple varieties for the Christmas season! A few varieties grown at our Hocking Hills orchard that fit either in name or season.
Christkindler – Germany originally in the 1600’s however Alsace is now part of France. This is an apple traditionally used in this region for Christmas decorations. Christkindler, the Christkind, does not have anything to do with Santa Klaus (which is a later invention) but with the newborn child ie Christkind = Christ Child.
Christmas Pearmain – Christmas Pearmain, England, 1893. This is a late ripening small to medium sized apple. Skin is orange, red and deep yellow with russetting. Good sweet tart flavor and keeps until January.
Christmas Pink – Christmas Pink, California, 1930’s. An Albert Etter developed variety. Yellow skin medium size apple with solid pink flesh.
Christmas Pippin – UK, 2011. A new apple variety with Cox like aromatic flavor but sweeter and easier to grow than Cox
Lady – France, 1628, although sources suspect maybe Roman era? Traditionally the Lady apple was used in Christmas decorations and stockings. Small, smooth, creamy yellow fruit with glossy red cheek, borne often in clusters. Crisp, juicy, fine-grained, pure white flesh. Also makes excellent cider.
Noel des Champs – Normandy, France - 1800’s. Translated, it means Christmas fields. This bittersweet cider apple is also used in the making of Calvados, one of France’s most prized brandies.
Rote Sternrenette – Germany, 1790. Synonyms are: Calville Etoilée, Pomme de Coeur, Herzapfel, Rote Herbstrenette and Weihnachtsapfel. The dark red colored apple used to be known as “the classic Christmas apple” of Germany and was very widespread. The hallmark of the apple are star-shaped succinct rusty lenticels on the mostly dark red skin. Red flesh.
And if not already a member, research NAFEX.ORG for a great group to join.
Merry Christmas from Derek and Lisa Mills!
Email me at derekcs2005@aol.com for info on scions of our 1,854 apple varieties.
Derek A Mills
Hocking Hills Orchardat the Four Seasons Cabins in the beautiful Hocking Hills of SE Ohio.
