Sweet Bough

Why you should be excited

Sweet Bough may be the best of all old-time early apples: juicy, tender and crisp, with honey-sweet flavour.

The story of Sweet Bough

Yes, yes. We know. Sweet Bough is another variety many people have never heard of. We're hoping to play a part in changing that, as this is reputed to be the very best of all the old-time early sweet apples.

Sweet Bough is certainly far from a newcomer to the world of apples, having been discovered in the United States very nearly two centuries ago (1817, to be precise).

What sets this variety apart from other early apples is its flavour. When the first ripe Sweet Bough apples arrive on the scene, people are bowled over by their honey-sweet flavour, not to mention their juicy, tender crispness.

Sweet Bough is a nice-looking yellow-green apple of good size and while it's not a long-term keeper, who wants something this luscious sitting in the fridge for months and months?

From a grower's point of view, this is an extra nice variety, due to its productiveness and resistance to scab and other diseases.

Still obscure after almost 200 years, we'd like to nominate Sweet Bough as unsung player on Salt Spring Apple Company's roster of awesome apple varieties.

Sweet Bough Facts

Its origins

Discovered in the northeast of the USA; first recorded in 1817.

Flavour, aroma, texture

Juicy, tender and crisp with honey-sweet flavour.

Appearance

Very good. Medium-to-large sized, green to yellow skin colour.

When they’re available

Early season (usually in late August).

Quality for fresh eating

Outstanding. Considered to be the best old-time early sweet apple.

Quality for cooking

Mainly used for fresh eating.

Keeping ability

Minimal (don’t try storing it for more than a week or two).