SnowSweet

SnowSweet (sic) originated in 2006 from the University of Minnesota’s breeding program which has developed several of our favorite varieties over the years — Chestnut, Frostbite and Sweet Sixteen to name three. The Minnesota program is also responsible for Honeycrisp, possibly the most important apple introduction of the last fifty years. SnowSweet is a cross between Sharon and Connell Red, two mid-western varieties associated with the program though neither of which originated in Minnesota.   The cultivar been plant patented (USPP 19446 P3);  SnowSweet is its trade-marked name.  It’s varietal name is actually “Wildung.”  Yikes!   The name SnowSweet almost certainly comes from the strikingly white color of the flesh, reminiscent of  one of the most famous of all northern heirlooms, Fameuse, which was often simply called “Snow” by the old timers for its similarly brilliant white flesh.  Currently it is being grown in many northern apple-growing districts, but is hard to find here in Maine.

The fruit is very large and somewhat lumpy. Both the basin and the cavity are shallow and broad, and the stem is short and thick. The skin is a bright lime green overlain with a rosy red. It is juicy and crisp as would be expected from a modern apple, but it doesn’t keep it’s firm texture as long as some of the other new varieties. The flavor is sweet and reminiscent of roses - you’ll feel as if you are in the middle of your grandmother’s garden when you take a bite. Like all the apples from breeding programs, this is an apple intended for fresh eating. But its size suggests that unless you have friends to share it with, you might want to find some culinary uses for it too.