Carolina Red June

Why you should be excited

Carolina Red June is a southern U.S. apple that ripens early and has a mild, brisk flavour.

The story of Carolina Red June

Modern commercial apple growers don’t so much hate varieties that ripen a few apples each day over a period of weeks; they completely ignore them.

This is understandable when production is done factory-style, but for those of us who grow differently –- those big guys should try dealing with the ripening dates you get with 350-plus different varieties– it’s not such a big deal.

Which allows us to grow an apple like Carolina Red June, an old southern U.S. variety that ripens early and works passably both for fresh eating and baking.

Once an important early variety in its home region, this is an apple you don’t see very often in our part of the world.

Carolina Red June Facts

Its origins

Discovered in North Carolina, USA; recorded in 1848, but considerably older than that.

Flavour, aroma, texture

The juicy flesh is white with red staining and fine-grained. The flavour is mild and briskly subacid.

Appearance

A relatively small roundish apple with deep purple-red covering yellow.

When they’re available

Early season (usually in mid-August).

Quality for fresh eating

Good.

Quality for cooking

Good.

Quality for cider

Not known for its use in cider.

Keeping ability

Limited (a few weeks when kept refrigerated).