Manchurian Crab Apple
Manchurian Crabapples found in Japan, China and Russia as early as the 1500’s.
Every fall we watched as the orchards were picked clean of the fruit; leaves would start to turn as the fall temperatures dropped, and the lonely Crabapples were the last bits of color to be seen.
This variety was never considered a viable commercial choice, and after all the other apple varieties had been picked and shipped to market, the fruit on the crabapple trees fell to the ground--overlooked by all but the loyal jam or jelly maker.
For years the Manchurian Crabapple has been interspersed in our orchards because the large white flower is a prolific pollen producer. The tree is vigorous and upright and the skin of the tiny fruit is a gorgeous blend of reddish pink and yellow. As the fruit matures it appears to be roped onto the lush green limbs. We know that this fruit makes excellent jam or jelly and this season Harmony Orchards has decided to pack this ancient apple giving you the chance to try the delicious simple recipe. As with all of our apple varieties, this fruit was organically grown.
