Apples sorted by type sweet, sour, balanced

15 years ago

Hi All-

I think this is a simple question... Has anyone ever seen a good sized list of apples sorted by flavor type: sour, sweet, balanced, etc? I'm finding that I really prefer the sour category. Often, a apples description will have so many flavor references that it's difficult to tell what category it really falls under. The only list I've seen is linked below. Has anyone seen a more comprehensive one? Thanks,

-Glenn

Here is a link that might be useful: Apple Source Growing Tips (look halfway down the page)

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

Scott F Smith
15 years ago
I have never seen one. Just use a keyword search through any description list for "tart" or "sour" or "brisk". In the ARS online database you can also search by their database properties and get a list. See the link below for their "code 4" (sour) apples. Looking at this list it is very good but includes many very obscure apples and is probably missing many common ones - their collection is not complete.

Scott

Here is a link that might be useful: ARS sour apples
glenn_russell
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks Scott.
Yep, I can search through any description list, and that's basically what I've been doing.
That ARS database may help. But, I can't find where on that large site to do my own query (it might be at some sort of apple database page?). Can you point me to the right place? Thanks again,
-Glenn
Related Discussions
what type of apples and disease?
Q
Comments (15)
Tom: Are you sure the neighbor's tree is not infested? Have you actually looked closely at his fruit? Maybe the neighbor sprays or picks up his fruit drops so there are not so many flies hatching out under his tree. There can be some variety differences, but when two trees so close together differ so much in the level of insect damage, there is usually something else in play. The spray you use is very much your own decision, based on what you can find and what is most effective in your area. Local advice would be better than mine. I use Imidan early for two or three sprays to get the apples up to thinning and bagging size, but Permethrin would be an acceptable and very effective substitute in most cases. But since I bag my apples, I am able to stop spraying very early in the season. If you don't do that, you will have to find something you are comfortable using all season long on about a 10 day schedule. Apple maggot is a later infestation than the plum curculio and codling moth I deal with by early sprays, and if you bagged your apples after thinning you might not have to spray at all, since you don't seem to have a problem with the other insects. Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA
...See More
Sweet Onions: When is SWEET really sweet? Varieties
Q
Comments (11)
I love Vidalias, but even with the incredibly strict certification process I noticed a considerable range this year for the first time ever in terms of the amount of bight. Ironically, this was also the first year that none had core rot or black mold in the center. I'm just a short ways north of Atlanta. Wonder if Ingles and whole foods have them in storage elsewhere? I would love a good, sweet red..is candy the one? Most seed sources seem sold out this year. Wonder if my creating a trench with compost and sand would help reduce the sulfur problem? That would be rather like a sandy loam. Any idea of the BEST, sweetest, least acrid and biting white and red you would recommend that would last...and a source for seed for this year? I read the TEXAS site ..which was excellent. One bag of WallaWalla said it was the same seed as Vidalias. Strong onions sit on my stomach and B.O. for days, so I definitely want something as sweet as possible and mild. RE UGA, I went to school in ACC country where basketball is the only real sport, but still cannot get used to Tech in the ACC!
...See More
Sweet & Sour Sauce?????
Q
Comments (12)
What I stated as to needed ingredients and added acid would be quite safe. Pineapple and added vinegar will offer sufficient acidity to BWB can, no matter what was stated above. I would use mostly dried sweet peppers and NO carrots, so that whatever is added is either naturally high in acid or soaks up the acid in the liquid. Clear Jel is the ONLY thicker recommended for home caning and it remains stable after canning and holds up very well to any and all high acid foods. Ketchup, and tomato paste are also hgh in acid. The only ingredients lower in acid are the peppers and onions, and if you use dried, there will be absolutely no safety issues of any kind. The BBB may list list one, but because COMMON SENSE is used here, and all of the product will get acid added, it will can very safely. I may decide to make some too, and add the unusual taste of leechee nuts which have the texture of pears, but have a taste like no other. A local Chinese resturant makes a sweet and sour sauce with sweet mixed pickles and even red cherries. Its served over batter fried fish or chicken. The txture is like it was made with corn syrup and is very sticky, compared to store bought. I use crushed pineapple in mine too. Carrots are better if stir fried with a few other veggies, even fresh sweet peppers and onions stir fried. You should not be afraid of the recipe if its modified like I stated as its never going to get you sick or go bad with all the acid it contains, from pineapple and also cider vinegar. To get it even more sour you can also add bottled lemon juice and/or citric acid. Without 'invention' where would we be today? Keep in mind that your not reinventing the wheel or making a dangerous concoction of poison.
...See More
Ack! Soup is too sour/acidic!
Q
Comments (10)
An older post but still a valid contribution. Sugars will help with sour and acidic foods. Apple is full of sugar, especially cider, but a natural sugar. I often us a bit of maple syrup. I just made a rhubarb chili. Very well knowing i would be dealing with a 'sour/tart' flavor. I used a couple grated carrots and an 1/2 apple i had leftover from a fruit salad... Still a bit tart and way too spicy by over-doing the chipotle, i sauteed another onion and a cup of edamame and a can of garbanzo beans...delish finally. With a dollop of yogurt, fetta, fresh cilantro cream, it paired well with the spicy tart chili. A left over chunk of parm rind is so good in the last 45 min of any hearty soup. I often add when i'm heating up a frozen qrt of homemade.
...See More
Scott F Smith
15 years ago
The main search page is here but you can't get these lists through this search, only accessions. What you can do is from a particular apple's page click on "Observations" and then click on a particular value and you can get to the list of all other apples with the same observation ("Accessions with same code" link). Maybe someone else knows a better way. This database webpage is not the best-organized I would say.

Scott
Axel
15 years ago
I don't find any of the listings very reliable. And, besides, apples that come out tart in one climate come out balanced somewhere else. For example, I grow king David, and for me they turn out amazingly well balanced. For Someone who lives right on the beach up here, though, they will turn out quite tart and need to sit in storage first to sweeten up.

then, on many varieties, sweet/balanced/tart is a function of ripeness. For example, get a jonagold early, and it's tart. Get it late, and it's almost too sweet.

Finally the whole sweet/tart thing is completely subjective as well. I love Belle de Boscop when it's dead ripe, and for some, it's still too tart. same with pink pearl, I wouldn't characterize it as tart. But others won't eat it.

To me, a true tart apple is one that is tart early, and tart late, even after storage, and goes from tart to mealy, so the only way to eat the apple is as a tart apple - usually, that is an authentic cooker. So far, Allington pippin is the only apple I've come across so far that is a true cooker. Even granny smith here will become very lovely and balanced when left on the tree past X-mas.

So if there is an objective way to classify apples, I would love to hear about it.

Apples sorted by type sweet, sour, balanced

Comments (4)

Scott F Smith

glenn_russell
Original Author

Related Discussions

Scott F Smith

Axel

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Apples sorted by type sweet, sour, balanced

Comments (4)

Scott F Smith

glenn_russellOriginal Author

Related Discussions

Scott F Smith

Axel

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

glenn_russell
Original Author