Heirloom Apple Varieties
Baldwin
We love a good survival story, and Baldwin certainly has one to tell. Baldwin was the apple of the 19th century, a household name and the apple everyone wanted to grow. Native to Wilmington, Massachusetts, Baldwin truly is an all star player. Known for cranking out a heavy crop, resistance to many pest issues, long storage capacity, and of course handsomely delicious, the Baldwin was the A list fruit of the 19th century. Then came the disastrous cold snap of 1934, when an early winter thaw had triggered sap to flow, and then the temperatures plummeted to 40 below zero. The Baldwins literally exploded as the sap froze and expanded. Millions - yes, millions - of Baldwin trees died, and tragically many orchards were also ruined. The Baldwins were almost wiped out of existence, then commercially replaced by a hardier successor from the north, one we’re all very familiar with, the McIntosh. Baldwins never fully recovered to their original commercial status, but it continues to steadily make its return and has a healthy presence in our orchard. Bright brick red, with big deeply dotted lenticels and an olive green glow shining from within, these stout and substantial fruits harbor the quintessential sweet and tart balance. Best enjoyed in every form, be sure to give pause to credit their existence despite their harrowing tale, and cheers to survival! Harvest begins in early to mid October.
