Caraway Russet
Apple
USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection
Caraway Russet
Origin / History
The origin of this apple was not given by any of the leading pomological authorities according to the Herefordshire Pomona (1885). Downing (1900) states simply that it is from England. Bunyard (1920) gives the origin as French, dating from the seventeenth century, noting that Leroy considered this the Epice d'Hiver of Olivier de Serres. Bunyard records it as "A reliable sort still grown in old orchards." Fisher (1963) lists the variety (as "Aromatic Russett," accession 199415) as originating in England, with a holding at Glenn Dale, Md., described as "High qual., russet winter."
Tree
Growth moderate; fertility moderate (Bunyard). Leaf small, longish oval, upfolded, sharply and irregularly serrate (Bunyard).
Fruit
Size: Below middle size — two and a half inches wide and two inches high (Herefordshire Pomona). Below medium (Downing). Small, 2 by 1½ (Bunyard).
Form: Oblate, even and regular in its outline (Herefordshire Pomona); oblate (Downing); flat, regular (Bunyard).
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 (Herefordshire Pomona). Pale brown russet, with an orange tinge in sun (Downing). Colour, yellow to orange, with russet; generally warted (Bunyard).
Stem / Stalk: Short and rather slender, inserted in a deep cavity (Herefordshire Pomona). Short and thin in a rather small cavity (Bunyard). The two sources disagree on the depth and size of the cavity — the Herefordshire Pomona calls it deep, while Bunyard calls it rather small.
Cavity: See stem above.
Calyx / Eye: Wide open, with broad reflexed segments (Herefordshire Pomona). Small, generally closed (Bunyard). The two sources disagree — Herefordshire Pomona describes the eye as wide open with reflexed segments, while Bunyard describes it as small and generally closed.
Basin: Pretty deep, wide, and saucer-like (Herefordshire Pomona). Even and shallow (Bunyard). The sources disagree on basin depth — Herefordshire Pomona describes it as pretty deep, while Bunyard describes it as shallow.
Flesh / Flavor: Yellowish, firm, crisp, rich, juicy and sweet, with a fine aroma (Herefordshire Pomona). Firm, crisp, juicy, sweet (Downing). Firm, yellow, aromatic (Bunyard). Fisher (1963) notes "High qual." Sources agree on firm, crisp, juicy, sweet, aromatic flesh of yellowish color.
Core / Seeds: Not described in source.
Season
In season from November to February (Herefordshire Pomona). February (Downing). November to March (Bunyard). Fisher classes it as a russet winter apple.
Uses
A dessert apple of great excellence (Herefordshire Pomona). Dessert (Bunyard).
Subtypes / Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 4 period pomological works
View original book sources (4)
— 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.)
— E.A. Bunyard, A Handbook of Hardy Fruits (1920)CARAWAY RUSSET. Her. Pom., p. 21. F., Fenouillet Gris ; G., Grauer Feucher Apfel. [Anis, Fenouillet Anise, Aromatic Russet (of some) Spice Apple, etc., etc.] Dessert, November to March, small, 2 by 1½, flat, regular, Colour, yellow to orange, with russet ; generally warted. Flesh, firm, yellow, aromatic. Eye, small, generally closed, in an even and shallow basin. Stem, short and thin in a rather small cavity. Growth, moderate ; fertility moderate. Leaf, small, longish oval, upfolded, sharply and irregularly serrate. Origin, French, dating from the seventeenth century. The correct name is Fenouillet Gris. Leroy considers this the Epice d'Hiver of Olivier de Serres. A reliable sort still grown in old orchards.
— H.H. Fisher (USDA ARS), A Survey of Apple Clones in the United States (1963)Aromatic Russett 199415 England NjB Aromatic Russett 199415 Glenn Dale, Md. High qual., russet winter. AP-H-244 NjB MoC WaP