Aport Apples

Inventory, lb : 0

Description/Taste

Aport apples are large, spherical fruits with a conical, slightly flattened, to ovate shape connected to a very thin and slender, brown stem. The skin is waxy, shiny, and smooth with a light bloom, and the green-yellow base is covered in bright red blush and dark red striping. Underneath the medium-thick skin, the flesh is crisp, pale yellow-green, fine-grained, and aqueous, encasing a central core filled with small, oval brown-black seeds. Aport apples have a fragrant, honey-like aroma with a sweet and sour flavor.

Seasons/Availability

Aport apples are available in the fall through late winter.

Current Facts

Aport apples, botanically classified as Malus domestica, are large, flavorful fruits that belong to the Rosaceae family. Considered to be one of the oldest varieties of apples, Aport apples found in the market today have been improved from original varieties, and one of the parent cultivars is the wild apple, Malus sieversii. The apples were named after the Russian Emperor Alexander Aport and were primarily grown in Kazakhstan, where they are currently considered to be one of the country’s most famous cultivars. At the height of their fame, Aport apples were grown in orchards across the Almaty region and were revered for their large size and flavor, but the tree was slow-growing, only producing fruit after 8 to 10 years. With the irregular fruiting and slow growth, many of the orchards were removed to make room for urban development and expansion, causing Aport apples to be pushed to the brink of extinction. In the modern-day, entrepreneurs and grass-root businesses are revitalizing Aport apple production in Almaty through small farms and social media, and the fruit is still considered to be a sweet symbol of the city.

Nutritional Value

Aport apples are a good source of vitamins A and C, which are antioxidants that can rebuild collagen within the body and can help boost the immune system. The apples are also known for their fiber content, which can help regulate digestion, and contain some potassium, vitamin B6, manganese, riboflavin, and vitamin K.

Applications

Aport apples are best suited for fresh consumption as their sweet and tangy flavor is showcased when consumed fresh, out-of-hand. The apples can be eaten whole as a snack, discarding the core, sliced into wedges and served with cheeses and spreads, diced into cereals, or chopped and added to salads. Aport apples can also be utilized in desserts such as ice cream, pies, cakes, and mousses, baked in sweet sauces, cooked into jams, roasted with meats, fried into fritters, or simmered in soups. In addition to fresh and cooked preparations, Aport apples are commonly dried for extended use, consumed as a chewy snack, or they can be chopped and added to rice dishes. Aport apples pair well with meats such as beef, pork, and veal, green onions, garlic, carrots, cucumber, red pepper, raisins, nuts, honey, vanilla, and cinnamon. The fresh apples will keep 2-4 months when stored in a cool, dry, and dark place.

Ethnic/Cultural Info

Aport apples have become synonymous with Almaty, which is a city located in the southeastern region of Kazakhstan, nestled alongside the Trans-lli Alatau mountains. Almaty once contained over three million Aport apple trees and was one of the first regions to cultivate the variety on a broad scale. The region received international recognition for its exported fruits in 1990 at the World Exhibition in Paris for the apple’s size and flavor, and Aport apples also became famous for being transported to the Kremlin in Russia as a sweet snack for powerful leaders. Today Aport apples are more challenging to find in Almaty markets due to the loss of orchards. However, the apples still live on as a symbol of notoriety and pride in the major commercial city and are depicted on silver coins and stamps.

Geography/History

Aport apples were originally transported from the Balkan Peninsula to Ukraine, and to Russia sometime during the 12th century. The variety eventually made its way to Almaty, Kazakhstan through a Russian tradesman known as Yegor Redko in 1865, and the variety was then selectively crossed with a wild sievers variety by N.T. Moses, developing the apple that is cultivated in the modern-day. Today Aport apples are still grown on a small scale in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and can also be found in select regions of Uzbekistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan.

Recipe Ideas

Recipes that include Aport Apples. One is easiest, three is harder.

Transatlantyk

Buckwheat Apple Cake

Recently Shared

People have shared Aport Apples using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.

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Kazakhfilm micro district, Almaty, Kazakhstan    Weekend food fair Kazakhfilm micro district, Almaty, Kazakhstan About 4 days ago, 1/23/21 Sharer's comments : Famous Aport is still available in the mid of winter Samal microdistrict-2, 111, Almaty, Kazakhstan    Galomart supermarket Samal microdistrict-2, 111, Almaty, Kazakhstan About 32 days ago, 12/26/20 Sharer's comments : Almaty Aport for USD 4/kg Samal microdistrict-2, 111, Almaty, Kazakhstan    Galomart supermarket Samal microdistrict-2, 111, Almaty, Kazakhstan About 41 days ago, 12/17/20 Sharer's comments : Local Aport $4 for 1 kilo Samal microdistrict-2, 111, Almaty, Kazakhstan    Galomart supermarket Samal microdistrict-2, 111, Almaty, Kazakhstan About 49 days ago, 12/08/20 Sharer's comments : 6 boxes of Aport. Compare it's size to the size of Granny Smith Zhibek Zholy 53, Almaty, Kazakhstan    Green market Bazaar Zhibek Zholy 53, Almaty, Kazakhstan About 59 days ago, 11/29/20 Sharer's comments : famous aport grown at high elevation at the motherland of the Apples Zhibek Zholy 53, Almaty, Kazakhstan    Green market Zhibek Zholy 53, Almaty, Kazakhstan About 67 days ago, 11/20/20 Sharer's comments : Beautifull counter for Aport apples Syrgabekova 21, Almaty, Kazakhstan    Vegetable convenient store Syrgabekova 21, Almaty, Kazakhstan About 69 days ago, 11/19/20 Sharer's comments : Local KZ apple variety aport Al Fabari avenue 77/8, Almaty, Kazakhstan    Esentai Gourme Al Fabari avenue 77/8, Almaty, Kazakhstan About 90 days ago, 10/29/20 Sharer's comments : Local seasonal aport apples in a fancy Esentai Gourmet store Zhibek Zholy str. 53, Almaty, Kazakhstan    Green Bazaar Zhibek Zholy str. 53, Almaty, Kazakhstan About 94 days ago, 10/25/20 Sharer's comments : Local Aport apples are in season now! Kazakh film microdistrict, Isinaliyeva 17, Almaty,    Ecofreshmarket Kazakh film microdistrict, Isinaliyeva 17,Almaty, Kazakhstan About 96 days ago, 10/23/20 Sharer's comments : One apple Aport brings rich aroma to a big room Kazakh film microdistrict, Isinaliyeva 17,Almaty,    Ecofreshmarket Kazakh film microdistrict, Isinaliyeva 17,Almaty, Kazakhstan About 106 days ago, 10/12/20 Sharer's comments : Almaty brand apples Aport famous for it's big size are in season now Kazakhfilm microdistrict, Almaty, Kazakhstan    Ecofresh market Kazakhfilm microdistrict, Almaty, Kazakhstan About 132 days ago, 9/17/20 Sharer's comments : Aport apples, that can weight up to 1,2 kg, are in season in Almaty, $1,5 for 1 kg Syrgabekova 30, Almaty, Kazakhstan    Convenient vegetable store Syrgabekova 30, Almaty, Kazakhstan About 136 days ago, 9/12/20 Sharer's comments : Aport, famous big apples from Almaty are in season now' Syrgabekova 30, Almaty, Kazakhstan    Convenient vegetable store Syrgabekova 30. About 147 days ago, 9/02/20 Sharer's comments : the biggest apples Aport from Almaty Kazakhstan Syrgabekova 30, Almaty, Kazakhstan    Convenient vegetable store Syrgabekova 30, Almaty, Kazakhstan About 279 days ago, 4/23/20 Sharer's comments : Famous Aport locally grown    Юбилейный супермаркет Абылай хана 74 About 310 days ago, 3/23/20 Sharer's comments : Aport apples is a local variety grown in Almaty foothills Шевченко 99    Dastarkhan Culinary house Шевченко 99 About 389 days ago, 1/03/20 Sharer's comments : Aport apples as a symbol of Almaty are available at every store of the city Абая угол Мате Залки    Weekend food fair Abaya/ corner Mate Zalki About 409 days ago, 12/15/19 Sharer's comments : Aport apples are available all winter long for Almaty citizens Жетыген село    Zhetygen village Sunday market Жетыген, Алматинская область About 416 days ago, 12/07/19 Sharer's comments : Lolac famous Aport apples for $1/kg микрорайон 5 дом 23    Ферма у дома микрорайон 5 дом 23 About 449 days ago, 11/05/19 Sharer's comments : Local Sour and sweet Aport apples sold at the "Farm next to your place" store Guldala village, Almaty province    Guldala (Flower valley) fair Guldala village, Almaty province About 455 days ago, 10/30/19 Sharer's comments : Apport apple grown in Ile Alatau hills of South Kazakhstan