Belle de Boskoop

Why you should be excited

Belle de Boskoop is a great keeper apple and a classic old European variety with a memorable flavour.

The story of Belle de Boskoop

Belle de Boskoop is our companion variety to Karmijn de Sonnaville, two apples that may be related. Belle de Boskoop is reputed to be the male parent of Karmijn de Sonnaville, although we're not sure how that's possible, given that it has genetically incompatible pollen.

Regardless, they share two key attributes: they both hail from the Netherlands and they're both unbelievably wonderful apples.

This is the old-timer of the pair, having been discovered -- in or near the Dutch town of Boskoop -- back in 1856. The appearance of Belle de Boskoop fruit varies (which disqualifies it from being sold at Safeway and Walmart right off the top), with a light red blush generally appearing on its greenish-yellow, partly-russeted skin.

It's a relatively large apple that grows on a highly productive tree that sometimes is slow to start delivering crops.

Can an apple's flesh be both coarse and tender at the same time? Some people say that's exactly what Belle de Boskoop is. In any case, it's a juicy apple, subacid and one of those varieties that actually tastes better after some time in storage. And Belle de Boskoop is a real champ in terms of its keeping ability, easily going six months without loss of quality, if it's kept chilled an humid.

Perhaps even better for cooking than it is for fresh eating, Belle de Boskoop is a classic old apple variety that scores well in just about every department.

Belle de Boskoop Facts

Its origins

Discovered in Boskoop, Netherlands, 1856.

Flavour, aroma, texture

Coarse yet tender, juicy flesh. Sweet, subacid. Best after some time in storage.

Appearance

Good, although variable. Large. Light red blush over a greenish-yellow background.

When they’re available

Late season (usually mid- to late-October).

Quality for fresh eating

Excellent.

Quality for cooking

Very good – holds its shape when cooked.

Quality for cider

A good addition to cider blends, as it contributes good sugar and even better acid.

Keeping ability

Excellent (up to 6 months when kept refrigerated).