Hunge Apple

General Fruit Growing
21

I’ve always pronounced it at “hung,” and hunge was sometimes used as slang for hunger in the 18th century.

Edit: Confirmed from Raven Rocks, a North Carolina heirloom apple grower. They state,

“Hunge (the name comes from the word “hunger”) originated among North Carolina Moravians in the 1700s, & was widely grown during the 19th century. The variety was thought extinct until a single tree was found in North Carolina about 25 years ago and propagated. The apple can be used for cooking, as well as fresh-eating (flavor improves as fruit ripens in storage & becomes highly aromatic). The mottled fruit usually is covered by a russet net, although the extent of the russetting can vary greatly from apple to apple. This rough texture, a natural feature of the skin, is common among heritage varieties.”

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22

Very interesting info! Thanks!

23

I’ve been pronouncing it like plunge and will probably keep doing so out of habit… it does sound like hung is the right one though. I pronounced scion wood as sky-on-wood for quite some time having never heard it…

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24

My Italian-born fig grower friend almost disowned me when he heard me talk about my Ba-Tag-lia Green fig. Ha!

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25

Any more commentary on this apple? I’d love to know more about it’s flavor for fresh eating as well as disease resistance. It’s one on my radar

26

I wish I could give you some info on this apple but I just planted one this year. It sounded like a very good apple . I had another apple tree I needed to take out ( lack of production) and I took a chance on planting the Hunge apple. I bought mine from Century Farm Orchards. His trees are always top notch and the owner ( David Vernon) is a great help if and when you have questions. I have always been happy with the apple trees I have purchased from him.

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27

It is very disease resistant. Productivity is average. The taste varies from year to year and often has some cheddar cheese and earthy flavors on top of the usual apple flavors. I like it partly for how different it is than other apples, if you have more than a dozen varieties it is a good one to add for more variety.

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