Sunday, October 26, 2008

VeganMoFo: Apple Tasting!

Yesterday I went with two friends to Harvest Festival at the local state park. As far as I was concerned, the main attraction was the apple tasting, sponsored by the California Rare Fruit Growers. They had 65 varieties, only a few of which we recognized. There were 4 long tables, and the apples were arranged roughly from acidic (more tart) to sweet.


As you can see in this picture, everyone got a clipboard, with all the varieties named, and room for you to take notes. At the end, there was a big board where you could vote for your 3 favorites. I had a hard time choosing, but some of my favorites were: Blacktwig, King David, Brushy Mountain Limbertwig, Rubinette, My Jewel and Sunny Russet. My friend Laura tasted with me and she was really good at it. She had a great palette, and was very skilled at discussing the flavor nuances. I was impressed!

Another reason I wanted to go, was to see if someone would help identify what kind of apple tree I have. Someone planted the tree before we bought the house, so I don't know what kind they are. They are delicious fresh (crispy, juicy, a good sweet-tart balance), great in pies, and great in applesauce. So, I'm just thrilled. But I'd love to know what kind they are. The fellow they referred me to took a few bites, inspected them and said that his best guess was York Imperial, which he said is generally more of an East Coast variety. I will do some more research and see if that fits the bill. As for identifying, he said the main 3 things to look for are appearance, taste, and season (when they ripen in the apple season). Most of all, I was filled with pride and joy when he enthusiastically said "Wow! This is a really great apple!"

Whatever they are, at least I know that the man who grows 65 varieties agrees that our mystery apples are really great!

9 comments:

  1. So fun and delicious!! And I'm SOOO envious about your "mystery apple" tree :0)

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  2. I've never heard of an apple tasting! What a wonderful way to spend the day.

    Best of luck finding out what your mystery tree is!

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  3. 65 varieties! Wow, souns like heaven. And how cool that you're a step closer to figuring out what variety your apple tree is!

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  4. Anonymous9:41 PM

    This sounds like so much tasty fun!

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  5. Oh man, I love apples SO SO SO much! I would have loved to attend this. I want to taste your apples sometime too!

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  6. i had no idea there could even be 65 different types of apples! that's so awesome, and how tasty, too! mmmmmmm! i would be proud of those apples, too (hooray for them finding yours to be super tasty!) - i'd love to have an apple tree in our yard. that would be so wonderful (as i'm thinking of all the tasty apple treats i could create); perhaps i'll try and convince dan to let me plant one! excitedface! :)

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  7. Apple tasting sounds like a great time! I'm no apple expert, so I'd enjoy getting to try all those different types.

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  8. that sounds like so much fun. It's great that you have an apple tree -- especially a tasty one.

    I was thinking of going to this place in WA that grows a lot of different types of apples, but haven't found the time yet.

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  9. Anonymous12:12 PM

    Bethany, could you tell me where in WA the apple place is?

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