A photographic collaboration between myself and Liz Griffith, second-generation orchardist, co-owner, and head grower at Door Creek Orchard, an 80-acre apple orchard in Cottage Grove, Wisconsin.
Pink Pearl blossom
Pink Pearl - Introduced in 1944 by the renowned Californian plant breeder, Albert Etter, Pink Pearl is a beautiful and surprising late summer variety. Though its skin is pearly yellow and green, its flesh is bright pink, crisp, fine-grained and aromatic with a delicious tart flavor. They are a challenging apple to grow, as many fungi and insects also enjoy this particular apple.
Ashmead’s Kernel blossom
Ashmead's Kernel - William Ashmead, a lawyer in early 1700s Gloucester, England, created this apple. It has remained popular since then, and with good reason: it has a unique, exceptionally intense flavor. The taste can be hard to describe, but sweet pear with spice and citrusy tartness comes close. Exceptional fresh-eating. A highly-valued apple for juicing and hard cider as well.
Whitney Crab blossom
Whitney Crabapple - Whitney crabs were developed by A.R. Whitney in Grove, Illinois circa 1869. They are an attractive early-season crab variety with crisp, juicy flesh. Their flavor is sweet with a bracing tartness. Wonderful for jellies, pickling, spicing, and decoration.
Golden Russet blossom
Golden Russet - The origins of Golden Russet are not clear but it probably arose in upstate New York in the 19th century, possibly derived from an English russet variety. It has dense, crisp, and very sweet flesh. Golden Russet’s high sugar content also makes it very valuable to hard cider makers.