Garance is an interesting new apple variety, released in 2014, and developed by the French Institute of Agronomy Research INRAE and various commercial partners. The smallish fruit matures in October for picking, and is grass green almost entirely covered by a crimson blush. It's a very distinctive looking apple, and has been specifically targetted towards organic growers, particularly in the south of France. It is disease resistant, medium sized and doesn't need much care or inputs. The ancestors of this variety are a hybrid of Idared and Primo, then crossed with Pitchounette.
I discovered it because Sandy, from our local organic orchard Fruit O Kalm, had a box of the fruit at the market one day. She explained she only had one tree, but was very impressed by its performance. Naturally I bought a couple to try. The fruit is very crunchy, juicy, sweet and perfumed.
Sandy on her organic apple stall in Preuilly sur Claise.
I assume it is named after the dyestuff. Garance is French for madder Rubria tinctoria, the plant from which the red dye alizarin is extracted.
1 comment:
The apple bottom left looks as if it is trying to qualify for the box next door!
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