The Unique Summer Banana Isn't A Banana At All
When you're craving a sweet, fruity snack, you might reach for a fresh apple. Whether you bite right into it or dip some slices into peanut butter or caramel sauce, apples are a delicious, fruity treat. Although you may have a preferred, go-to variety, it's always interesting to try something new — and you just might find a new favorite. If you're looking for a new apple variety to taste test this summer, you may want to look into the Summer Banana apple.
The variety isn't a clear hybrid between the two fruits. Rather, it is named for its aroma. As the apples ripen and become ready to eat, a scent similar to that of bananas wafts off of them. Though the smell may be mild, it is reportedly more intense once the apples are sliced — the inner fruit may even have a slight banana-like flavor as well. The exterior bears a slight resemblance, too. The Summer Banana apples ripen to a yellow-green color, though the skin can also be decorated with pinkish or reddish spots.
The apples were first grown in the southern states
The apple was first cultivated in the mid-1800s and originated in South Carolina. The original tree grew in Marion County, and the fruit was sold by two different nurseries in North Carolina between 1890 to 1925. Around 1900, the J. Van Lindley Nursery trademarked the fruit and purchased the original tree.
These days, if you want to try the apple for yourself, it may be a little more difficult to come by. Unfortunately, this apple variety doesn't store well, making it pretty impractical for commercial sales or exporting out of orchards. While the apples can be purchased from the orchards where they're grown directly or at farmers' markets nearby, it's unlikely that you'll see these fruits for sale further out of the regions where they grow.
These apples typically ripen between late summer and early fall, so you'll only have a short window to head out to your local orchard and taste test these apples if you want to give them a try.
How can you use these apples?
If you do manage to get your hands on some of these apples, there are a number of ways they can be eaten. Although this variety may have a shorter shelf life than other varieties, that doesn't make them any less delicious. If you're a fan of both apples and bananas, this uniquely flavored fruit may be an intriguing food for you — and it can create an additional flavor profile when being used for your desserts.
The apples can be enjoyed on their own as a quick snack, but they can also be fried into some sweet fritters for a delicious dessert. If you want to add an extra, interesting aroma to your apple pies, you could swap these into your go-to recipe next time you make it.
Though this extra fruity flavored apple may be a little harder to find than your standard Red Delicious or Granny Smith, the unique flavor may just make it into your list of favorites if you crave a more unique taste.