Seasons/Availability
Look for the beautiful Hidden Rose Apple® in the fall season. Check for availability.
Current Facts
Not grown elsewhere in the United States, Dragonberry Produce Inc., Clackamas, Oregon, is the only marketing agent for the Hidden Rose Apple®. Other farms may be contracted to grow this fine apple but it is exclusively sold and advertised through Dragonberry Produce, Inc.
Description/Taste
Boasting a stunning colored flesh, the wonderfully crunchy Hidden Rose Apple® offers a tart taste reminiscent to strawberry lemonade and a texture similar to a Granny Smith apple. Primarily popular eaten fresh out of hand, its rich color and hardy texture make it also great for cooking.
Nutritional Value
Cholesterol-free, apples contain pectin, a beneficial fiber. This fiber may actually work to reduce the body's cholesterol level and possible help to reduce heart attacks. Pectin also slows glucose metabolism in diabetics. Apples contain potassium, which may reduce the chances of a stroke and have a trace of boron believed to build bones and to increase mental vitality. Apples offer a small amount of vitamin A and vitamin C and have only a trace of sodium. An average-size apple contains about 80 calories. Unpeeled apples offer the most nutrition. Eating five daily servings of fruits and vegetables lowers the chances of cancer. A recent study found that eating nine or ten daily servings of fruits and vegetables, combined with three servings of low-fat dairy products, were effective in lowering blood pressure.
Applications
Delicious enjoyed out of hand, this grand apple's remarkable colorful personality is revealed when thinly sliced and served as edible garnish for most anything. Dress up cheese plates and fresh fruit platters. Add its charming beauty to enhance fruit salads. Eye-catching, the unusual Hidden Rose Apple® makes a scrumptious and gorgeous dessert apple. Perfect choice for cobblers, muffins, pancakes and quick breads. Resistant to turning brown after cutting, this apple does have a tendency to dry easily when exposed to room air. Sliced or cut apples stay white longer if put in a bowl of water containing two tablespoons of lemon juice. To store, refrigerate at 34-36 degrees Fahrenheit. An excellent keeper, this hardy apple has a refrigerated shelf life of several months.
Geography/History
An heirloom variety, the especially lovely Hidden Rose Apple® is patented and registered exclusively by Dragonberry Produce Inc. located in Clackamas, Oregon. Available on the market for the last three years, the orchard was first planted in 1992 by Eric Schwartz. Grown at Thomas Paine Farms in Oregon, this special apple was discovered in the area by former farm-manager Louis Kimzey. Although the compatible and unique climate of the Pacific Northwest helps to develop its vibrant pink flesh, special growing techniques also contribute to the extraordinary color. A lengthy and difficult growing process, it takes three years for the tree to mature and to bear fruit after planting. Harvested only once a year in late October, during the month of April, growers assess the tree’s blossoms to aid in predicting the harvest for that year. Grown organically, no pesticides or chemicals are ever used. Easily scarred, only four or five out of ten apples are blemish-free. Only top quality premium apples are shipped to the marketplace even though the flesh inside of blemished apples is unaffected. Its name, Hidden Rose Apple®, is trademarked.
Featured Recipes
Recipes that include Hidden Rose Apples. One is easiest, three is harder.
is easiest, three is harder.