Day 24 - Koru

Today's apple is the Koru.  Koru is a brand name for a variety called Plumac.  a chance seedling that was discovered in new Zealand in 1998.  The grower's mother-in-law had discarded an old Fuji in their orchard and he helped it grow into a tree which yielded some delicious apples.  DNA testing confirmed it was a mix of the Fuji and Braeburn.  

This is a a tasty apple.  It has personality, style and grace.  My apple was juicy, crisp, sweet and sour with notes of honey, mellon, chamomile, rainbows and unicorns!  look for the Koru peeps!

Tomorrow, I review the Aurora.  Crunch on and on and on!!!

Day 23 - Grapple

Today's apple is the Grapple.  Grapples are Gala or Fuji apples soaked in a water and concentrated grape solution to infuse the flavor and scent of grape juice.  It is supposedly a natural grape flavor with no added calories.

Grapples should be called Crapples because they are crap!  They are only available in 3, 4 or 6 packs.  I bought a 4 pack.  I will probably finish the other 3 so they don't go to waste but I'm not happy about it.  They do have a grape juice flavor and and strong grape scent.  I think the company is trying to appeal to kids.  The mascot is half monkey, half grape. That is not even original.  They stole it from the 1975 cartoon, The Great Grape Ape.  I also just learned that Grape Ape is a strain of marijuana, much more popular than the cartoon I might add! Maybe Grape Ape would pair well with the Grappel, hmm?

I'd rather teach the children that apples don't need to be infused with grape juice to be delicious. There is a reason that Gala and Fuji apples are so popular, they are pretty consistently good.  This process robs them of a lot of their natural flavor!  I guess if this really gets the kiddo's to eat fruit, it's ok but I don't approve, no sir-y Bob!

Tomorrow, I review the Koru.  Crunch on!

Day 22 - Regret, Redemption, Pinata

I have brought shame upon my household.  Yesterday, I skipped An Apple a Day.  Sure, I will be out of new apples to try soon so days will be skipped but I've got a few apples left.  There is no excuse, I will fall upon my sword!

For punishment, I ate my Pinata apple out in the bleak, glacial cold.  The frigid wind stung my face, my hands and feet went numb.  I could barely keep my footing while maneuvering the sheets of ice. Icicles whipped past me from above, almost impaling me.  Apple juice, snot and tears soiled the newly fallen snow!

Anyway, on to the Pinata.  The name is a combination of the apples's two given names, Pinova and Sonota.  It originated in Germany in the 1970's and is a cross between a Golden Delicious, Cox's Orange Pippin and Duchess.  

My Pinata was dense, it actually felt heavy.  It was crisp, had a good tangy-tart but also sweet taste.  The producers claim it has, "classic apple taste with a tropical twist".  I can kind of see that.  I tasted some notes of melon.  I would not smash this Pinata with a stick!   

Tomorrow, I review something wacky, the Grapple.  Crunch on!

Day 21 - Opal

Today's apple is the Opal.  They claim it does not brown when you slice it so it would be great in salads or on a fruit tray.  If this is true, I will save money the next time my wife wants jewelry. Instead of a precious Opal stone, I will buy her an Opal apple ring!  I am testing this claim right now. Check out the before and after pics of a slice below.  I am impressed!  There is some browning but much less than you usually see.  I have had apples start to brown in just a few minutes while eating them.

Just after slicing

1 hour after slicing

2 hours after slicing 

3 hours after slicing

A beautiful Opal apple ring

The Opal originated in Europe in 1999.  It has been available in the US since 2010.  It is the first US apple variety to be verified by the Non-GMO Project, the only independent verification in North America for non-GMO food.  That means it is never genetically modified.  The Opal is a cross between a Golden Delicious and a Topaz.

The appearance is bright yellow.  It is sweet, crisp and what stands out most, VERY juicy, you'll need a napkin for this one!

Tomorrow, I review the Pinata.  Hopefully, I won't want to smash it with a stick!

I must venture out for more apples.  After the Pinata, I will have tried all the varieties currently available at the couple of grocery store chains I have frequented so far.  I know they are out there and I will, like the Vikings before me, crunch on !!!!

Day 20 - Smitten, Apple Brandy

Today's apple is the Smitten.  Maybe it's the brandy talking but if I were an apple, I would be smitten for the Smitten!  I am not an apple but I do like the Smitten and the E & J Brandy with Apple Liqueur.

Smitten is a recent apple from New Zealand.  It's parents are not named (they are thought to be in the witness protection program) but it's grandparents are Falstaff, Fiesta, Braeburn and Gala, a fine lineage!

My apple was tasty.  It had a crisp bite, was sweet with honey notes and a touch of acidity.  It did have a weird brown spot inside I cut out.

It's Friday night yo.  I decided to pair my Smitten with some E & J Brandy with Apple Liqueur on the rocks.  E & J  Brandy has been around since 1975.  This apple version was not bad, a sweet apple flavor with hints of vanilla and caramel.  It is 30% alcohol, recommended to drink on the rocks or mixed with something.  It's not real smooth so straight up ain't the best.  It would be great mixed with apple cider, in fact I will try it now (cider review soon).  I just tried it with cider and a shake of cinnamon (I consume cinnamon every day) and it was delicious!  Cranberry juice and Ginger Ale would also be good mixers.

Tomorrow, I review the Opal.  Crunch and drink on!

Day 19 - Ambrosia

Ambrosia, in Greek mythology means food of the Gods.  The Ambrosia apple originated in British Columbia in the early 1990's.  It has a conical shape with skin a fluorescent pink over a cream-yellow background. It has low acidity with a flavor reminiscent of a pear.

The Ambrosia isn't an apple I would want too often but it is pretty good.  It is not tart at all.  It is not too sweet but the flavor has a honey character.  I wish it was a little more crisp.

Reviewing the Ambrosia got me thinking about Ambrosia Salad.  Here is a recipe that looks good:

Ambrosia Salad

yield: 8 SERVINGS

 

prep time: 10 MINUTES

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces frozen whipped topping, thawed (see note below for alternative)
• 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
• 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
• 1 11-ounce can mandarin oranges, drained
• 1 8-ounce can pineapple tidbits or crushed pineapple, drained
• 1 cup maraschino cherries, drained
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans, optional
• 1 1/2 cups Campfire® Mini Fruit-Flavored Marshmallows

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, stir together the whipped topping and yogurt.
2. Using a rubber spatula, carefully fold remaining ingredients into whipped topping.
3. Chill before serving.

Yum, I haven't had it in years but it is delicious.  It does not normally contain apples but you could add chopped up apples to the recipe.

Tomorrow, I review the Smitten.  Crunch on!

Day 18 - Cameo

Cameo, my apple of the day and also a funk-soul group that got pretty big in the 1980's with the hit, Word Up.  Based on this photo, the singer may be hiding a Cameo apple in his pants!  I think that's it, they stuff Cameo apples in their pants and that is how they came up with the band name!  If you would like to see Cameo perform, they currently have a show in Las Vegas.

On to the apple, I have an organic one grown by Viva Tierra Organic.  I could at some point review organic versions of several apples but the type of Cameo I found happens to be organic.

The Cameo was discovered at an orchard in Dryden, Washington in 1987.  It is thought to be a cross between a Red Delicious and a Golden Delicious.  

The 1st thing I noticed about this apple is it looks nice and it is very fragrant.  It really smells appley!  It has an OK flavor, middle of the road sweetness.  It has a consistency similar to a Red Delicious.  Bottom line, this apple is THE BEST for stuffing in your pants!  If you like to eat your apples, I'd pick a different one.  The group Cameo is more interesting than the apple.

Tomorrow, I review the Ambrosia.  Crunch on!