what are snow apples

Snow apples, botanically classified as Malus domestica

, are an heirloom variety that belongs to the Rosaceae family. The sweet fruits were first grown in Canada in the early 18th century and quickly became one of the most cultivated varieties, named the apple’s white flesh and resilience in cold weather.

Full Answer

What is so special about snow sweet apples?

Another special feature of Snow Sweet apples is that their bright white flesh oxidizes slowly. When you cut one of these apples, it will remain white longer than most varieties. The apples are best eaten fresh.

Where do snow apples come from?

The Snow Fameuse apple trees were found in almost every French settlement, in the late 1700's, as the Snow apple was planted 1,000 miles in every direction of Canada and the lower states. Flesh is tender, spicy, distinctive in flavor, and snow white in color with occasional crimson stains near the skin.

Are snow Fameuse apples hard to grow?

Snow apple is very hardy, heavy bearing tree that is excellent for home orchards. Snow Fameuse apples are delicious fresh off the tree, in cider, or in culinary creations. One of very few apples that often reproduce true to variety when established from seed.

What does a snow apple taste like?

The reason it's called a snow apple is pretty clear once you cut into the apple. It has extremely white flesh. It is said to be an ancestor of a popular modern day apple with a pretty white flesh, the McIntosh. Overall Feeling: It's a pretty tart apple at first that softens up and becomes less tart as time goes on.

Are snow apples sweet?

SnowSweet® is becoming increasingly popular because of its delightful sweet taste, with a slight tart balance and rich overtones. Plus, it has a unique characteristic that consumers love. The fruit's snowy white flesh is very slow to oxidize and turn brown after cutting.

Are snow apples still grown?

Following the demise of the Quebec line, the Snow Apple fell into obscurity and is rarely grown today. The Snow Apple is one of the oldest known apple varieties on record, most likely originating in France in the late 1600s (1650-1699), although some European pomologists claim its origins were in Canada.

What do snow sweet apples taste like?

Sweet, Tart Tasting Apple The SnowSweet® Apple is sweet with a slight tart balance and rich overtones. As one of our taste testers described it, "This apple has substance. It's satisfying." Great taste is definitely the best feature of SnowSweet.

Are sweet snow apples good for baking?

The SnowSweet apple makes a wonderful apple for cooking and baking as well. Because it has a crisp skin, it holds up well while cooking, rather than turning to mush like many softer varieties.

What is the rarest apple fruit?

Black Diamond apples are a rare variety from the family of Hua Niu apples (also known as the Chinese Red Delicious). The name is a little misleading because they aren't exactly black, but rather a dark hue of purple.

What is the rarest apple tree?

Few people have ever gotten to the chance to even taste the Black Diamond apple. These apples are extremely rare and only grown in remote places in the world.

What is the sweetest apple you can eat?

Fuji ApplesFuji Apples The sweetest apple that is widely available in grocery stores is Fuji. Fuji apples tend to vary in color, from yellow to green to red. Fuji apples are particularly high in natural sugars and have naturally low levels of acidity, letting the natural sugars take center stage.

What can you do with snow apples?

Snow apples can also be blended into applesauce, pressed into juice or cider, or served with cheeses, nuts, and chocolate as an appetizer. In addition to fresh applications, Snow apples are commonly baked into tarts, pies, cakes, muffins, and cobblers or are cooked with roasted meats.

Which apple is the sweetest and Crispiest?

Fuji applesFuji: Fuji is the sweetest apple variety that Stemilt grows. Each crisp bite will remind you of the sweet taste of apple juice due to its naturally high sugar levels! Fuji apples are ideal for fresh applications like snacking, juicing, or freezing.

What's the best apple for apple pie?

Best Apples for Apple PieGranny Smith Apples.Honeycrisp.Golden Delicious.Rome.Jonathan or Jonagold Apples.Braeburn.Northern Spy.Apple Varieties.More items...•

What apple is best for apple butter?

BEST APPLES FOR APPLE BUTTER Generally speaking, softer varieties of apples such as Fuji, Golden Delicious, McIntosh, or Jonagold work better since they cook down faster. I used a mix of Granny Smith, Fuji and Honeycrisp in my apple butter, and even the crisper varieties broke down well for a smooth apple butter.

Which is the sweetest apple in USA?

1. Fuji Apple. Fuji Apples are incredibly sweet and are quite often the sweetest apple widely available in grocery stores. Fuji apples have an aromatic floral sweetness that almost tastes like honey.

Can you get ice apples in the US?

Ice Apple comes from the Borassus Palm which is native to the Indian subcontinent (especially in South India) and Southeast Asia. The tree can grow up to 100 feet high which makes it extremely difficult to harvest. This super rare fruit is hardly ever seen in the United States.

Where do snow apples come from?

Snow apples, botanically classified as Malus domestica, are an heirloom variety that belongs to the Rosaceae family. The sweet fruits were first grown in Canada in the early 18th century and quickly became one of the most cultivated varieties, named the apple's white flesh and resilience in cold weather.

Are Arctic apples available?

Arctic apple products are available in a variety of package sizes, accommodating both the retail and foodservice industries. Enjoy our sweet Arctic® Golden or our tart Arctic® Granny varieties. Arctic® Fuji will be available in 2022 and more varieties are on the way!

What type of apples are in season now?

Depending on the variety, apples are available from late July through early November. Gala, Macoun and McIntosh ones are ready to go in September, so start stocking up now. Gala apples are sweet with a reddish-orange and yellow-striped skin.

Where to Buy Snow Apple Trees

Nature Hills Nursery – Costs for bare root Snow Apples are a bit more than other nurseries, but free shipping offers sweeten the deal.

Buying Fameuse Apples

Masonville Orchard in Fort Collins, Colorado is committed to raising heirloom and rare apple varieties. They sell fruit in season, including Snow Apples, at local farmers markets. For an additional charge, they ship fruit nationwide.

General Information

A Poet and His Apples from Vermont’s Local Banquet – This wonderful article from Ellen Williams highlights the 90 year old Snow Apple tree still standing on Robert Frost’s Vermont farm. Historians speculate that the poet himself planted this majestic tree. The article also illustrates some of the challenges of saving and propagating antique trees.

Snow Apple Tree Characteristics

The Snow Apple tree has a few unique properties that need to be kept in mind. This tree is heavy branching. This means that the tree will grow lots of branches in a dense pattern. This apple tree also remains relatively small, which makes it a great choice for home gardens that need to keep tree size in mind.

Planting Zones

Learning how to grow the Snow Apple tree starts with learning its planting zones.

Size and Spacing

Snow Apple trees can grow up to 12 feet tall and have a spread of 10 to 12 feet.

Fruit Tree Care

Planting your Snow Apple is only the first step in becoming an amateur orchardist. After you’ve got your Snow Apple in the ground, you’ll need to know how to take care of it.

Common Uses For The Snow Apple Tree

The Snow Apple has more unique properties now that we’ve gotten to the tasty center of this topic. You’ll need to know a few special tips and tricks if you’re looking to make the most out of cooking the Snow Apple.

Health Benefits of the Snow Apple

If you’re looking to dodge those winter blues, the Snow Apple might be your new secret weapon.

Where To Buy The Snow Apple Tree?

We mentioned earlier that the Snow Apple has fallen out of favor through the course of history. This makes it a little bit more difficult to find. While some online retailers stock the Snow Apple, you might have to do a little searching in order to find one to grow in your yard.

What is a Snow Sweet Apple?

Snow Sweet is a new variety, developed at the University of Minnesota and introduced in 2006. The trees are hardier than most and can be grown as far north as zone 4. They also have above average resistance to fire blight and scab. This is also a later variety, beginning to ripen in mid-September and about two weeks after Honeycrisp.

How to Grow Snow Sweet Apples

Growing Snow Sweet apples is a great choice for any gardener interested in a new and delicious apple variety, and who lives in a northern climate.

History of the SnowSweet Apple Tree

The SnowSweet Apple tree was developed at the University of Minnesota by crossing Connell Red with Sharon cultivars. The cultivar was finalized in 2006, it is the latest in a long line of apple hybrids that breeders began in the late 19th century.

SnowSweet Apple Tree And Fruit Characteristics

SnowSweet apples are oblong fruits with a mostly bronzed red blush. The fruit’s texture is firm and fine with a crisp crunch. Its flavor is a rich sweet, buttery flavor with a bit of tartness to balance it out. The flesh’s fruit is slower to oxidize than many varieties, so it can last a bit longer when raw.

Planting Zones

SnowSweet Apple trees are the perfect apple for colder climates. They thrive in USDA zones 4 through 7. They are cold-hardy to zone 4 and resistant to late freezes.

Size And Spacing

The SnowSweet Apple tree reaches a height of about 15 feet at full maturity. Its canopy spreads 15 feet, so it should be planted at least this far away from any other trees or structures. This ensures that the tree can spread its roots and branches to get the most nutrients from the sun and soil.

Pollination

The SnowSweet Apple tree is not self-pollinating, which means it must be cross-pollinated with another apple variety. Most gardeners prefer another sweet apple variety, with Honeycrisp being a good choice.

Tree Care

The most tricky part of caring for the SnowSweet Apple tree is establishing it in your garden. After the first few years, it needs much less regular care. You won’t need to fertilize in the first year. As the tree matures, only fertilize once annually if you notice signs that it is struggling to bear.

Common Uses For The SnowSweet Apple

There are many ways to enjoy the SnowSweet apple, both fresh and preserved. Because of its sweet natural crispness and flesh that stays fresh even when cut, it is usually used for raw dishes. But that doesn’t mean you can’t add it to cooked dishes like pies, bread, applesauce, and more.