Akane (apple)

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Malus pumila 'Akane'
SpeciesMalus pumila
Hybrid parentage'Jonathan' × 'Worcester Pearmain'
Cultivar'Akane'
Origin Japan, 1937[1]

'Akane', also known as 'Tokyo Rose', 'Tohoku No.3' and 'Prime Red',[2] is a Japanese cultivar of domesticated apple, that according to Orange Pippin is one of the best early season apples.[3]

'Akane' was developed by the Morika Experimental Station of Japan sometime between 1900 and 1949,[4] by crossing a Jonathan apple with a Worcester Pearmain,[3][5] and was introduced to the United States in 1937, where it is very popular.[3][6]

Description[edit]

'Akane' is of moderately good disease resistance, best at warm climates but tolerates cold also. It flowers mid-late season, and should be harvested early-mid season. It is self-sterile and needs to be cross pollinated.

It produces heavy crop of variable sized fruits,[3] usually more to the smaller side,[5] but good sized apples can be obtained by thinning.[7]

'Akane' apple tree.

'Akane' carries the fruit shape of the English 'Worcester Pearmain', and the unusually good balanced flavor of the 'Jonathan'.[8] Shape ranges from flattened to heart-shaped.[5] Fruits have a very good flavor, a blend of sweet and sharp, preferable for eating, keeps shape in cooking. Flesh color is white,[3] with a yellow tinge. The flesh does not oxidize quickly. The apple is crisp, but not too dense; it is easy to eat.[5] Skin color is red. The fruit keeps fresh for about one week.[3][unreliable source?]

'Akane' apples

References[edit]

  1. ^ See text and references.
  2. ^ National Fruit Collection, retrieved 18 December 2015
  3. ^ a b c d e f Akane at Orange Pippin.
  4. ^ Fruit Gardener says 1930, Trees of Antiquity says 1937.
  5. ^ a b c d Fruit Gardener
  6. ^ Fruit Gardener says, not as popular as Orange Pippin implies.
  7. ^ Trees of Antiquity
  8. ^ Akane tree by Orange Pippin Trees.