ABC Wednesday

Here we are, off on another alphabetical roller-coaster, and the first ride is on the letter A

A is for Apple and A is for Ambrosia

Here is the tale of the Ambrosia Apple, a Similkameen discovery.

In the 1980's a tree grew on Sally and Wilfred Mennell's orchard, located on the Cawston Bench; a seedling that sprang up in a row planted to Jonagolds and in a part of the re-planted orchard where previously plums and Golden Delicious had grown. In the first year that it bore fruit the pickers in the orchard snacked on each and every one of the apples that grew on the little tree.

Wilfred and Sally, seeing the attraction it had, made sure that the next year they tasted first, and were impressed.

In 1990-91 about 180 trees were budded onto M26 rootstock, to see if the variety would remain true to type, and when it did the Mennell family propagated about 400 trees.

The new variety was named Ambrosia because it had the honeyed flavour of  food for the Gods and I am  here to tell you that this is true!  A beautiful apple.

It has a smooth skin, is bi-coloured with an almost incandescent pink blush over a creamy white background.
And it smells delicious, with a slight honeyed fragrance.

It is the apple that Charles has before breakfast, and he never fails to remark on its wonderful crisp texture and the fact that the flesh of the apple is carried on such a small and unimposing core.  In a link to the Ambrosia it has been called (quote) a very civilized, refined apple, destined to be loved by connoisseurs of the good life everywhere. (unquote).

Here is a link to an Ambrosia Apple Home Page and below is a photo of Sally and Wilfred Mennell who recognized the qualities of this gorgeous apple and have made it available to apple lovers everywhere, - if you have not seen it in your stores do ask your local produce manager!

and Robert Mennell, a brother, out in the orchard garnering in the golden apple.

You will see the lovely hills and skies of the Similkameen Valley in the background.

For more interpretations of the letter A visit here at ABC Wednesday, with many thanks to Mrs. Nesbitt and her kindly crew of helpers who go stalwartly on to another Round of ABC Wednesday.