[Sca-cooks] Historical Apples

[David Friedman]

I posted a few days ago but haven't seen it appear. 

I don't know what would be period for 13th c. Al Andalus, but there are 
a number of varieties believed to be pre-1600 still available, such as 
Summer Rambo--which used to be available near Pennsic at Pennsic time, 
but no longer is--Lady apples, Calville Blanc d'Hiver, Sops of Wine. I 
have an old article in the Miscellany on the subject: "Concerning Trees 
and Their Fruits" in "Articles Written in Persona" webbed at:

http://www.daviddfriedman.com/Medieval/miscellany_pdf/Miscellany.htm

We currently have a Lady Apple and a Calville Blanc in front of the 
house, both of which bore this year. I don't kn owwhat has happened to 
the period trees I planted and later abandoned in Philadelphia and New 
Orleans. A really ambitious head cook might be able to find a local 
orchard that grew one of the period varieties, with luck. 

As to pippins, Cox's Orange Pippin, while famous, isn't, I believe, 
period. I wouldn't assume crab apples are particularly likely to be 
period either. 

Southmeadow Nursery used to be the best source for period trees, but I 
am told it went badly down hill and I'm not sure if it still exists. 
Miller's nursery has some. 

Cariadoc