Missouri Pippin

Why you should be excited

Missouri Pippin is a 19th century U.S. variety that was a standard regional apple back in the day.

The story of Missouri Pippin

Before orchards were mostly planted on dwarf rootstock, growers has a long wait before they saw fruit from newly-planted trees. That's because an apple tree on full-sized rootstock can take six, ten, even 15 years before producing fruit.

In such orchards, the trees must be widely spaced due to their eventual large size, resulting in huge orchards that produce little fruit for many years.

To partly compensate back in the day, orchardists sometimes also planted varieties like Missouri Pippin, which produce fruit at a younger age than most other varieties. These precocious trees were planted between the regular varieties to produce short-term fruit. And then the short-termers were removed as the other trees grew larger. 

In addition to having this niche role, Missouri Pippin is a pleasant apple for fresh-eating.

Missouri Pippin Facts

Its origins

Started from seed in Johnson County, Missouri, USA, around 1850.

Flavour, aroma, texture

The whitish flesh is slightly coarse and breaking, juicy, with a pleasant and mild subacid flavour.

Appearance

This handsome medium-sized apple is striped with various shades of red.

When they’re available

Very late season (usually in November).

Quality for fresh eating

Good.

Quality for cooking

Mainly used for fresh eating.

Quality for cider

While it was undoubtedly used a lot in cider back in the day, Missouri Pippin is not particular known for that use.

Keeping ability

Good (2 or 3 months when kept refrigerated).