A Guide to BFM Apples
Whatcom and Skagit counties grow a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. This includes Washington’s pride and joy, the humble apple. Unlike a standard grocery store, at BFM you will find many heirloom apple varieties which are bursting with flavor. Some of these cultivars have been carefully crafted over generations.
Discover something new - from Akane to Tsugaru!
Take them home, try them all, post pics and share with us on Instagram @bhamfarmersmkt or on our Facebook page
Sept - Oct
Akane: Was developed in Japan between 1900-1949. It is a cross between a Jonathan apple and Worcester Pearmain. Fruits have a very good flavor, a blend of sweet and sharp, preferable for eating, keeps shape in cooking. Flesh color is white, with a yellow tinge. The flesh does not oxidize quickly. The apple is crisp, but not too dense; it is easy to eat. Skin color is red.
Bellewood prince
Belle de boskoop: From the Netherlands in the mid 1900s. Flavor: Juicy with a moderately sweet flavor. Taste frequently better after storage. A classic eating apple.
Fuji: From Japan in the 1960s. Flavor: Incredibly crisp and sweet. Fujis are the ultimate classic apple. They keep super well, have a beautiful dark pink and red coloring, and are perfect for fresh eating.
Gala: From New Zealand in the 1960s. Flavor: A rich honey flavor with a strong scent. The Gala is a classic apple that can be bought almost anywhere. They’re not very good for cooking, but they’re perfect for fresh eating.
Golden supreme: Golden Supremes live up to their name with their pale yellow skin, often overlaid with a red, orange, or pink blush. They are also covered in small brown lenticels. This apple is medium to large and conical. The flesh is cream colored, firm, crisp, coarse-grained, and juicy, and overall pleasant to bite into. The flavor is similar to the Golden Delicious, though less complex. Golden Supremes are mellow and very sweet, with spicy notes and almost no tartness/acid.
Gravenstein: From Denmark in the 1700s. Flavor: Has a sharp, but not overbearing taste. Gravensteins are amazing for desserts, particularly because they hold their shape well. They also can be used to make delicious sauces.
Honeycrisp: From Minnesota in the 1960s. Flavor: Has a sweeter taste than many other apples. Honeycrisps are known for their amazing flavor, and they are a fantastic apple for fresh eating. They also have a nice crisp and crunchy texture.
Jonagold: From New York in 1943. Flavor: A high quality flavor with a sharp sweetness. These apples are perfect for fresh eating, but they do not have a traditional crunch or crisp. Eat as fresh as possible.
Liberty: Liberty was developed at the famous Geneva Research Station in the 1960s. It is derived from Macoun, and is very much a McIntosh-style apple, with red skin and juicy flesh. The flavor is well balanced, perhaps sharper than many of the Mac-related varieties but still with the characteristic vinous note.
Sansa: From Japan in 1988. Flavor: Sweet with a slight hint of acid. The Sansa is a large apple with a brilliant red coloring. It’s nice and crisp, making it perfect for fresh eating.
Spartan: From Canada in 1926. Flavor: Sweet with a wine-like flavor. Spartans have a beautiful red coloring along with a satisfying crunch. They also are best when eaten fresh.
Tsugaru: Tsugaru apples are native to Japan and were developed at the Aomori Prefectural Apple Experimental Station in the 1930s. The variety is a cross between a kodama and golden delicious apple, and after approximately forty years of trials, Tsugaru apples were officially released to commercial markets in 1975. Tsugaru apples are moderately sized, round to conical fruits with a somewhat uniform shape and light russeting within the stem’s cavity. Tsugaru apples have an intensely sweet flavor with an acidic and mildly tart undertone.
Ashmeade’s Apple
Mountain Rose
Oct-Nov
Ashmead's: From England in the early 1700s. Flavor: Don’t be deterred by this apple’s unappealing appearance, as its flavor more than makes up for it. It’s crisp , juicy, and sweet, but also has a slightly acidic touch.
Evercrisp: Evercrisp an American cultivar developed by the Midwest Apple Improvement Association. It is a cross between the Honey Crisp and Fuji. The apple entered the public market place in 2017.
Idared: Sweetly tart, juicy, firm. Good for baking, pies, freezing, salads.
Mountain rose: The Mountain Rose apple was first grown in Western Oregon, though it is unclear where it originated. The Mountain Rose apple is yellow to green, covered extensively with a red to pink blush, and speckled with faint white lenticels. The skin is quite delicate and can bruise easily. Their real claim to fame is the bright pink to red flesh that remains vivid even when cooked. The flesh is crisp and has a balanced acidic yet mildly sweet flavor with nuances of strawberry, citrus, and cotton candy.
Orin: The Orin Apple is a unique tasting Japanese variety that has a yellow skin with a reddish orange blush, dotted with conspicuous white lenticels. The apple has a pale yellow interior that is sweet, extremely juicy and low in acid with a mild but definite flavor blend of pineapple and pear.
Schoolhouse red
