Detroit Black

Origin/History

Supposed to be of Canadian origin, from the neighborhood of Detroit, Michigan (Warder). Downing groups it with the synonyms Crimson Pippin, Grand Sachem, Black Detroit, and Washington Pearmain. Warder notes that fruits presented as Detroit Black and as Detroit Red are so very much alike in all respects that they are not worth considering distinct, though he allows that the Red variety may be distinct, as it keeps later.

Tree

Not described in source.

Fruit

Size

Large to very large (Warder, Downing). Elliott, describing this variety under the name Grand Sachem, likewise calls it large.

Form

Warder describes the fruit as conic and angular. Downing and Elliott both describe it as roundish and distinctly ribbed, with Downing adding that it is irregular in its outline. The two characterizations — conic and angular vs. roundish and ribbed — are in tension; both accounts agree on the presence of prominent ribbing or angularity.

Stem

Very short (Warder).

Cavity

Wide and wavy (Warder).

Calyx

Eye small, open (Warder).

Basin

Deep, abrupt, and folded (Warder).

Skin

Warder describes the surface as very smooth, shining, deep red shaded, almost black in some specimens, with no striping. Downing describes it as smooth with deep, dingy red over the whole surface — characterizing it as "a showy, large, dark, blood-red fruit." Elliott (under Grand Sachem) calls it dull red. Warder's "shining" and "almost black" characterization contrasts with Downing's "dingy" and Elliott's "dull," suggesting some variation in finish or possible source-sample differences.

Dots

Numerous, minute, indented, gray (Warder).

Flesh and Flavor

Warder describes the flesh as whitish, tender, breaking, and juicy, with an acid flavor and poor quality, rating it second to third rate. Downing and Elliott both describe the flesh as white and dry, with Downing adding that it is without much flavor — though he rates it Good, while also calling it "rather coarse, and scarcely worth cultivation." The flesh texture is in direct conflict: Warder says juicy, while Downing and Elliott say dry.

Core and Seeds

Core wide, closed or open, clasping the eye; seeds numerous, angular, brown (Warder).

Season

September and October (Warder). September (Downing, Elliott).

Uses

Kitchen use and drying (Warder). Downing considers it "scarcely worth cultivation," despite rating the flavor as Good. Warder rates quality as second to third rate.

Subtypes/Variants

Warder treats Detroit Black and Detroit Red as effectively the same variety on account of their close resemblance, but notes that the Red may be distinct because it keeps later in the season.

Other

Downing's overall assessment: "A showy, large, dark, blood-red fruit, but rather coarse, and scarcely worth cultivation." Elliott's entry for this variety appears under the synonym Grand Sachem without cross-referencing Detroit Black by name.