“As American as apple pie” has become a familiar phrase, probably because we produce more apples than any other nation. We owe much to the legendary John Chapman—fondly known as Johnny Appleseed—who spent half a century encouraging apple production by planting apple seeds and selling and donating apple trees to early American settlers. The apple, its lore, and the good things made from it have been beloved by generations of Americans ever since.
Today many of Johnny’s apples are experiencing a renaissance, growing in orchards across the country. Seed savers—conservers of heirloom seeds—and organic growers have nurtured this rebirth and we thank them for it. We marvel at the nuances in taste from one apple to another, and everyone seems to have their favorites. Thousands of heirloom varieties have been revitalized in seeds found from around the world—Ananas Reinette of the Netherlands, circa 1821; Coe’s Golden Drop from England, 1842; the Black Twig from Arkansas, 1868; the Api Etoile of Switzerland, 1600s; Matsu from Japan, 1948; Nehou from France, 1920; Mother from Massachusetts, 1840; Orleans Reinette from France, 1776; Lady or Christmas Apple from France, 1600; Duchess of Oldenburg from Russia, 1700; and the Court Pendu Plat from France, 1613—just the names and dates make us dream.
