The vigorous and fast maturing Gravenstein
tree is one of the 10 most important apple cultivars in Canada. Its roots, however,
can be found in northern Germany where the tree was reputedly discovered in the Duke
of Augustinberg's garden in the mid-18th century. Other documentation has indicated
that the Gravenstein may have come to North America from Italy or even Southern Tyrol in Austria in the 1820s.
The Annapolis valley in Nova Scotia now produces the most Gravenstein apples.
The fruit is roundish with a thin skin that is greenish-yellow to orange-yellow with
light and dark red stripes. To taste, the flesh is firm, crip, aromatic and juicy.
Apples are harvested from late September till early November.
Apple Journal (photo)
Gravenstein Apple Fair
Sonoma West Times & News
Les pommes de nos vergers
Deutsche pomologie (allemand)
