Owner's comments
This is an old German variety, the name translates as "Finch Island Autumn Prince" (don't you love the the names of these old varieties?). It originally comes from the Finkenwerder promontory in the Elbe river in Hamburg and is from a chance seedling of the Prinzenapfel family of apples.
It has a long, bell-like shape and is noticeably angular. Until the 1960s it was an important commercial eating apple in Germany but is now only seen occasionally in farmers' markets.
I was enchanted by its rather reserved flavour. Its acid/sugar balance tends towards the acid but it is NOT sour. Rather it is dry, in the way that a wine is described as dry. A refreshing change.
It is primarily an eating apple but I have tried it also as a "Schnapps". In my opinion it is not sufficiently aromatic for that purpose. It cooks well and holds its shape.
It keeps very well (until April/May) and has a tendency to shrivel. In this state it becomes quite unattractive - obviously not an ideal supermarket candidate - but this is when it is at its most delicious and the flesh is still firm - not at all mealy.
I can highly recommend this apple and would be very interested to see some comments from other people. Are there any examples outside Germany?
Purchased as a 2-year-old, planted winter 2010/2011. I stripped off all developing fruits in the first summer.
Tree is irrigated by underground soak hose.
Currently (July 2012) 4 fruits on tree.
