They come in every color, size, and shape. Each one is unique. Alongside the sweet and somewhat mild flavor of most modern apples, heirlooms offer an appreciation of the full range of what apples can be. Some develop their best flavor after being stored in the refrigerator for a few weeks. Some are delightful fresh off the tree, and others are at their best in baking or sauce. Looks can be deceiving—remember, these apples were grown for flavor! Visit our guide to heirloom apples to identify and learn about the varieties in your pack and dozens more.
For more adventures and exploration of the wonders of apples — heirlooms, orchards, baking and more — here are some of our favorite books, websites and blogs:
Books:
- Apples of Uncommon Character (2013) by Rowan Jacobsen
- Apples of North America: Exceptional Varieties for Growers, Gardeners and Cooks (2013) by Tom Burford, winner of the 2014 American Horticulture Society Book Award
- Good Apples: Behind Every Bite (2017) by Susan Futrell. Futrell is the Director of Marketing at Red Tomato, and many of the Eco-certifed farms in our network are profiled in the book!
- Apples of New England (2014) by Russell Steven Powell
Cookbooks:
- The Apple Lovers Cookbook 3rd edition (2020) by Amy Traverso, senior food editor for Yankee Magazine
- Apple: Recipes from the Orchard (2019) by James Rich
Websites & blogs:
- New England Apples, a nonprofit association dedicated to the regions apples and orchards, has a fantastic website full of recipes, orchard profiles, apple varieties, and lots of beautiful photos. Sign up for their blog post, by author Russell Powell, weekly during apple season.
- Out On A Limb Apples is the website of well-known Maine apple guru John Bunker. Extensive resource on finding and identifying apple varieties, recipes, and John’s blog.
- The Pandemic and the Ancient Apple Tree by John Bunker, a timely blog shared by Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association in summer 2020.
Instagram:
- @therighteousrusset, writer Sean Turley
- @pomme_queen, photographer William Mullen of the photo series Odd Apples