Caraway Russet
AppleCaraway Russet
Origin/History
From England. The precise origin is not given by any of the leading Pomological Authorities. Downing cites Hogg as the source for his description.
Tree
Not described in source.
Fruit
Size: Below middle size; two and a half inches wide and two inches high.
Form: Oblate, even and regular in its outline.
Stem: Short and rather slender, inserted in a deep cavity.
Cavity: Deep.
Calyx: Wide open, with broad reflexed segments.
Basin: Pretty deep, wide, and saucer-like.
Skin: Covered with a very thin coat of pale brown russet, which is dotted with darker russet; on the sun side the color inclines to orange.
Flesh: Yellowish, firm, crisp, rich, juicy, and sweet, with a fine aroma.
Season
November to February. (Downing lists February alone, likely indicating the peak or end of the keeping season, consistent with the Herefordshire Pomona's November–February window.)
Uses
A dessert apple of great excellence.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
View original book sources (2)
— Woolhope Naturalists Field Club, The Herefordshire Pomona (1885)
- CARAWAY RUSSET.
The origin of this apple is not given by any of the leading Pomological Authorities.
Description.—Fruit: below middle size, two and a half inches wide, and two inches high; oblate, even and regular in its outline. Skin: covered with a very thin coat of pale brown russet, which is dotted with darker russet, and on the same side the colour is inclining to orange. Eye: wide open, with broad reflexed segments, set in a pretty deep, wide, and saucer-like basin. Stalk: short and rather slender, inserted in a deep cavity. Flesh: yellowish, firm, crisp, rich, juicy and sweet, with a fine aroma.
A dessert apple of great excellence, and in season from November to February.
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Caraway Russet. From England. Fruit below medium, oblate, pale brown russet, with an orange tinge in sun. Flesh firm, crisp, juicy, sweet. February. (Hogg.)