Strawberry Parfait Apples
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
Description/Taste
Strawberry Parfait apples are small to medium in size, averaging 6 to 8 centimeters in diameter, and have a round to oblate shape with flat shoulders, a broad center, and a narrow base. The apple’s stem is short, woody, dark brown, and stout, and rough, textured russet patches often appear in the stem cavity. The apple’s skin is semi-thin, smooth, and taut, with a faint sheen when polished. The skin ripens from green to yellow-green and develops a vibrant red blush. The cherry to dark red blush can be solid or striped and may envelop the surface or be found in small spots, depending on the amount of sun exposure. The skin is also covered in white to tan lenticels. Underneath the surface, the flesh is ivory to cream-colored, aqueous, and crisp with a soft consistency. Some consumers note the variety occasionally has a pear-like texture, and the apple may become mealy after picking. The flesh is also dotted with red blotches developed from the pigments found in the skin, and the central core is filled with tiny black-brown seeds. Strawberry Parfait apples release a subtle, berry-like scent said to smell like strawberries. The apples can be consumed raw or cooked and have a fresh, sweet, and slightly tart flavor with berry, spice-filled, and vinous nuances.
Seasons/Availability
Strawberry Parfait apples are available in the late summer.
Current Facts
Strawberry Parfait apples, botanically classified as Malus domestica, are an American variety belonging to the Rosaceae family. The early-season apples were developed as an experimental variety from New Jersey and were released as a fresh-eating cultivar. Strawberry Parfait apples grow on deciduous trees reaching up to five meters in height, and the trees begin bearing fruit in approximately four years. The variety ripens three weeks before its parent variety, Mollie’s Delicious, and is valued among apple enthusiasts as a popular summer apple. Strawberry Parfait apples are not commercially cultivated on a large scale but are grown by select orchards as a specialty variety. The apples have a short shelf life and rapidly decline in quality only a week or two after being harvested. The fruits also drop from the tree when ripe, lowering the number of available fruits. In the modern day, Strawberry Parfait apples are known for their sweet, tangy, berry-like flavor and are incorporated into fresh and cooked culinary preparations.
Nutritional Value
Strawberry Parfait apples are a source of potassium to balance fluid levels within the body, vitamin C to boost the immune system, vitamin A to maintain healthy organs, and fiber to regulate the digestive tract. The variety also provides calcium to build strong bones and teeth, copper to develop connective tissues, magnesium to control nerves, antioxidants to protect the cells against the damage caused by free radicals, and other nutrients, including phosphorus, zinc, manganese, vitamin K, and iron.
Applications
Strawberry Parfait apples have a sweet and tangy taste suited for fresh preparations. The variety has a short shelf life and rapidly decreases in quality once picked, so it is recommended to consume the apples immediately after harvest for the best quality and flavor. Strawberry Parfait apples are favored as a dessert apple, meaning they are typically consumed fresh, out of hand. The fruits can be chopped and mixed into fruit salads and green salads, sliced and served on cheese plates, or dipped into nut butter, chocolate, or caramel as a snack. They can also be thinly cut and layered on top of toast, incorporated into appetizers, or used as a topping over yogurt and grain bowls. In addition to fresh preparations, Strawberry Parfait apples can be simmered into a colorful applesauce, as the pigments in the skin and flesh create a light pink to red hue. The variety can also be cooked into jams, jellies, and other preserves. While less common, some cider makers add Strawberry Parfait apples into custom cider blends to add sweet, berry-like flavors, or the apples are juiced and added to smoothies, sparkling beverages, and cocktails. Strawberry Parfait apples pair well with herbs such as mint, basil, and rosemary, spices including cinnamon, cloves, and ginger, chocolate, vanilla, and fruits such as grapes, melons, bananas, and pineapples. Whole, unwashed Strawberry Parfait apples have a short shelf life and will keep for 1 to 2 weeks when stored in a cool, dry, and dark location such as a cellar or refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Strawberry Parfait apples were initially named NJ46 when the variety was developed at the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. This numbered moniker was given when the seedling was selected for potential release and was used for initial evaluations. NJ stands for New Jersey, the experiment station’s home state, and 46 correlates to the apple’s history in the breeding program. Once chosen as a new variety, NJ46 was renamed Strawberry Parfait, a marketing moniker to attract consumer attention. It is said Strawberry Parfait apples can develop an aroma reminiscent of strawberries, and in some mature fruits, there is a faint, sweet, berry-like flavor. The fruits also have a vibrant red blush on the skin, a coloring similar to the red of a ripe strawberry, and are eaten fresh as a dessert cultivar, tying in their parfait descriptor.
Geography/History
Strawberry Parfait apples are native to the United States and were developed at the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, NJAES, in the late 20th century. The variety was created from the experiment station’s tree fruit breeding program, and this program is a part of Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Strawberry Parfait apples were bred from a cross between Mollie’s Delicious and July Red apples. The variety was selected for propagation in the 1970s and was released under the name Strawberry Parfait in commercial markets. Since their release, Strawberry Parfait apples have never achieved large-scale commercial production due to their short shelf life. The cultivar is planted in specialty orchards and home gardens and is sold as early-season, fresh-eating apples. When in season, Strawberry Parfait apples are available directly through growers, at farmer’s markets, and through a few distributors.
