SC - Apples for Cider

[LrdRas at aol.com]

In a message dated 4/5/00 3:43:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 
CBlackwill at aol.com writes:

<< Does 
 anyone have any information of which particular family of apples would be 
 most appropriate for a "period style" cider?  I would like to use "Belgian 
 apples," but have no information regarding which, if any, were grown in 
 medieval times.  If all else fails, I will use Granny Smith.  >>

That's a hard one. Of varieties that are still grown commercially that 
existed in period, the 'Lady Apple' is the most widely available in 
supermarkets. I believe Stefan has a file of period apple varieties still 
grown in his Flori-thingy.

Granny Smith is a good all purpose variety for juice that is not cloyingly 
sweet t as is Macintosh (my favorite). I would just go ahead and use whatever 
you feel is appropriate since the likelihood of finding reasonably priced 
Lady apples at this time of year is slim at least in my neck of the woods. 

Ras