Adam's Apples

Springing forth

2026-04-17T09:48:00.001-04:00

A bud is opening on an apple tree in Lexington, Massachusetts yesterday.

Some are reporting apple blossoms, but where I live things are still mostly buttoned up, though that is changing. ¶

It's still forsythia and cherries here, though just a few towns farther from the sea the magnolias are in full bloom. The apples cannot be far behind.

Things to come

2026-04-10T19:44:00.003-04:00

Tomorrow's apples take shape on a tree at Hutchins Farm in Concord, Massachusetts earlier today.

Pomological spring is a hopeful time, made dear by uncertainty.

Unboxing

2026-04-04T18:09:00.002-04:00

Whan that April with his showres soot is when (whan?) GoldRush, that king of keepers, is ready to eat. ¶

It's also when I see how the ones I laid down in my refrigerator in December have fared in my home newsprint-and-perforated-plastic-bag storage system.

The big melt

2026-03-11T18:49:00.003-04:00

Yes that's snow! March 9 at Hutchins Farm in Concord, Massachusetts.

Temperatures here shot up from the 20s to the 70s (Fahrenheit) in the past week, so I hopped on my bicycle and peddled through the melt to Concord.

Cortland improves, McIntosh declines, in the winter

2026-03-07T12:08:00.003-05:00

The Cortland apple has an ardent following. In September and October, I like Macs and Macouns, close Cort relations.

McIntosh (L) and Cortland

But lately, in February and now March, I have been enjoying Cortland's crisp vinous goodness. ¶

Let's see how it stacks up agains the Mac at this time of year.

Apples on the Web: Orchard Notes

2026-02-28T10:30:00.000-05:00

Would you like to know an old-time apple recipe for Norfolk Biffin (or other fruit recipes, some from antiquity)? ¶

Perhaps you'd be interested in a deep dive into claims that some apples date from Roman times? ¶

How about an introduction to apple and pear identification? From a fellow who grew several score of different apples last fall?

Apples on the Web: Chuck Wendig

2026-02-14T11:51:00.017-05:00

Behold:

❝A pineapple fucked a pear and somehow made a baby that looks like an apple. That is the Cox’s Orange Pippin.❞

or this: ❝

Maiden’s Blush: Wet sad sandcastle heralds the death of summer, but at least it smells nice, so stick a wick in it and use it as a candle.❞

Fixed stars

2026-02-03T15:03:00.016-05:00

Three apples rate a star. Two earn two. ¶

I tasted nine apple varieties for the first time last year. ¶

Alas, may of my examples were clearly past their prime. Consequently, I'm not able to give them the recognition they probably deserve. ¶

But first: What's going on? I rate apples every year at this time, using my own qualitative system, one to three stars.

Neighborly apples

2026-01-24T11:41:00.003-05:00

Last fall I was invited to identify some apples growing in a neighbor's yard. ¶

Not to beat around the tree: these proved to be Northern Spy, something that the home owners had suspected. ¶

I'm not actually a great apple detective, so just as well! But my payment was a nice ration of these apples, reminding me of how good they are. ¶

Why did I need to be reminded?

Blushing Granny

2026-01-10T18:05:00.002-05:00

Granny blushes, if you let her. ¶

You would not know it from prowling the supermarket, however: She is a late apple usually picked too soon. ¶

Today I will assay one from a local orchard. It was, maybe, allowed to ripen fully, though I am eating it more than a month after it was picked (and publishing this account even later than that, sorry!).