The Lady apples can also be bought from sources such as Fresh Direct on-line. Growers get a premium price for these tiny beauties. One grower gets $3 per pound.
If you grow Lady apples or buy them in bulk keep them in a dry place at around 35 degrees Fahrenheit.
Lady apples are noted for their very small size. They're around 1½" across. Their shape is rather unique too. They're rather flattened at both ends. The color can vary. Usually they're either green or yellow with lots of brilliant red blushing.
These juicy apples are outstanding with a mildly sweet-tart flavor. They have white, crisp flesh. Lady apples are excellent for eating fresh as dessert and snacks. They're also used for cooked dishes, such as fruit sauces, and garnish. Other favorite uses include fruit and cheese trays and fruit baskets.
Now you can even buy chocolate-covered Lady apples. Grown at the Summit Point Orchards in West Virginia, this gourmet delicacy is available from Gourmet Central (www.gourmetfoods.com). Wouldn't this make a wonderful Valentine's gift for a fruit lover?
Lady apples are supposed to be available canned, but I have yet to find a source.
During a survey at Epicurious.com this was named the most attractive apple by Epicurious tasters.
Yet one of the most traditional uses for this fruit is for decorations, especially for Christmas. The small size makes them perfect for wreaths and similar items. That explains why it is also known as the Christmas apple.
If you plant a standard Lady apple tree, don't be in a hurry to harvest the fruits. According to Calhoun, the trees may take ten years to produce a decent crop. However there's a quicker way to get fruits. Buy one grafted onto dwarf rootstock. The trees tend to bear in alternate years.
Very few apple varieties have the long and interesting history as this unique
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