Every month we do an apple spotlight to showcase a particular apple. Today we’re focusing on the Pristine apple. Ripening in August, Pristine apples are yellow in color and crisp in texture. Mildly tart, they are ideal for fresh eating, baking, or making into an applesauce. Read on to learn more.
All About Pristine Apples
Descendants of the McIntosh apple and Starking Delicious apple, the Pristine apple tree is highly resistant to disease. They are round or oblate in shape, with a uniform appearance and light ribbing. The skin is semi-thick, waxy, and glossy, ripening to a bright yellow when matured. You may also notice a faint, red-orange blush. Boasting a balanced, sweet-tart flavor, Pristine apples feature notes of green apple, spice, and banana.
An early variety belonging to the Rosaceae family, Pristine apples happen to be a great source of vitamin C, helping to increase collagen production within the body while boosting the immune system. They are also chock full of fiber to stimulate the digestive tract, as well as vitamin A and potassium.
They were the 11th variety to be created by the PRI Disease Resistant Apple Breeding Program – a joint breeding venture between the Rutgers, the University of Illinois, and Purdue University.
What Are Pristine Apples Good For?
Best suited for raw and cooked applications, such as boiling and baking, Pristine apples have a fine-grained flesh, making them ideal for crunching into raw. They are also great:
- Chopped into fruit and green salads
- Sliced and served with dips
- Pressed into ciders and juices
- Blended into smoothies
- Cooked into applesauce
- Served with roasted meats
- Spread on toast
- Added to oatmeal and yogurt
- Sliced and baked in tarts, pies, cobblers, cakes, muffins, and bread
Pristine apples go very well with cinnamon, buckwheat honey, and herbs such as sage, thyme, rosemary, and bay laurel. You can also serve them alongside meats such as poultry, pork, and beef, as well as sweet potato, cheddar cheese, chickpeas, goat cheese, and mascarpone. Fresh Pristine apples will keep for up to six weeks when you store them in the refrigerator.
Visit Robinette’s Apple Haus & Winery
While our orchard won’t be open for a while yet, you can still get your fix by visiting our Apple Haus. Browse our bakery, winery, and cider mill for the best sweet treats around. Call us at (800) 400-8100 today to learn more.
