Tentation® Apples
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
Description/Taste
Tentation® apples are a moderately-sized varietal, averaging 6 to 7.5 centimeters in diameter, and have a conical, oblong, to blocky shape with a slightly asymmetrical, sometimes flattened nature. The apples have five prominent ribs surrounding the crown, and the stem is dark brown, slender, woody, and fibrous, connected to the fruit through a russeted, narrow, green cavity. The fruit’s skin is thin, semi-matte, taut, and lightly waxy, covered in prominent grey-green lenticels. Tentation® apples ripen from green to shades of golden yellow, sometimes yellow-green, and are occasionally flushed with patches of pink-orange blush. In some growing conditions, the fruits develop sandy-textured russet on portions of the skin. Underneath the surface, the ivory-to-pale yellow flesh is firm, aqueous, and fine-grained, with a crisp and succulent consistency. The flesh also encases a small central core filled with tiny brown obovate seeds. Tentation® apples are edible raw when ripe and release a delicate, honeyed, and fruity scent. The flesh has high sugar and acidity, creating a sweet-tart, sharp taste with floral, fruity, bright, and acidic nuances. When left in storage, the fruit’s flavor mellows and becomes sweeter.
Seasons/Availability
Tentation® apples are harvested in the late fall and are available in markets through the spring. In some countries, such as France, the apples are available year-round as the variety is grown in both the Southern and Northern Hemisphere.
Current Facts
Tentation® apples, botanically classified as Malus domestica, are a French variety belonging to the Rosaceae family. The fruits grow on deciduous trees reaching around 3.5 meters in height and are a mid to late-season cultivar valued for its sweet and sharp flavor. Tentation® apples are also known as Delbush and Tentation® Delbush apples and were developed in the late 20th century in France as a new yellow-hued commercial variety. Since their release, Tentation® apples have been produced in small quantities among growers worldwide. In France, the apples are cultivated in eco-responsible orchards to protect biodiversity and increase sustainability. Tentation® apples are marketed as a quality, everyday cultivar utilized by consumers in raw or cooked, sweet or savory preparations.
Nutritional Value
Tentation® apples have not been extensively studied for their nutritional properties. Like other commercial cultivars, Tentation® apples may be a source of potassium to balance fluid levels within the body, fiber to regulate the digestive tract, and vitamin C to strengthen the immune system. Apples also provide small amounts of copper to develop connective tissues, vitamin E to protect the cells against the damage caused by free radicals, iron to develop the protein hemoglobin for oxygen transport through the bloodstream, magnesium to control optimal nerve functioning, and other nutrients, including manganese, vitamin K, calcium, and zinc.
Applications
Tentation® apples have a sweet-tart taste suited for fresh and cooked preparations. The variety's flesh is firm, crisp, and juicy, savored when consumed straight out of hand. Tentation® apples are often sliced and tossed into salads, mixed into fruit medleys, shredded into slaws, or cut and served with dips and nut butter as a snack. The apples can be layered into burgers and sandwiches, finely sliced and used in spring rolls, sliced over crostini and toast, or used as an edible topping over parfaits, oatmeal, and other breakfast dishes. In addition to fresh preparations, Tentation® apples have high sugar and acidity, lending themselves to cooked and baked dishes. They also hold their shape when baked. The apple's natural sweetness allows bakers to use less sugar in pies, cakes, and bread recipes, and the flesh can be sliced and baked into tarts, crisps, galettes, and crumbles. Tentation® apples can also be simmered into applesauce, butter, jellies, and jams, roasted with root vegetables, cooked into soups, or sauteed in cinnamon and spices and served as a rich topping over ice cream. Beyond culinary preparations, Tentation® apples can be pressed into juice for ciders, cocktails, and sparkling beverages or dried into rings and strips for extended use. Tentation® apples pair well with nuts such as walnuts, almonds, and pecans, herbs including mint, cilantro, and parsley, spices such as cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger, and meats including beef, pork, and poultry. Whole, unwashed Tentation® apples will keep for several weeks to months when stored in a cool, dry, and dark place. In commercial cold storage, the apples will keep for around five months. When kept in atmospheric storage, the fruits will keep for ten months.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Tentation® apples were said to have been named in honor of the numerous trials conducted during the variety’s creation. The word tentation is defined by Merriam-Webster as a method of making adjustments through successive trials, experiments, or steps. This descriptor was fitting for the apple variety as it took over ten years to develop Tentation® apples. During the breeding process, over 275 seedlings were evaluated, selected, and tested through multiple trials before a single seedling was chosen. These trials lasted for several years until the final seedling was chosen and initially named Delbush. Over time, Delbush apples were rebranded under the commercial name Tentation® to attract consumer attention.
Geography/History
Tentation® apples are native to France and were developed in 1979 by nurserymen Gerard Guillier and Georges Delbard in Malicorne, a commune in the Allier department in Central France. The variety was bred by Delbard from a cross between Golden Delicious and Grifer apples, and Delbard had the intention of creating a new variety that was an improved version of Golden Delicious. In the cross, Golden Delicious apples, a variety from the United States, was the female or seed parent, and Grifer, another variety from the United States, was the male or pollen parent. The new apple cultivar was evaluated and tested for several years before being released to commercial French markets in the 1990s, and in the late 1990s, the variety was planted among growers in New Zealand. It is important to note that Tentation® apples were initially called Delbush when they were developed, and around 1996, the apples were rebranded under Tentation® to increase consumer appeal in international markets. In 2013, Tentation® apples were also planted in the United States. Today, Tentation® apples are commercially produced by growers in Europe, the United States, and New Zealand, and they are sold domestically or exported to markets worldwide. When in season, the apples are typically sold through select retailers, farmer’s markets, and distributors.
