Hudson’s Golden Gem

To me, Hudson’s Golden Gem wins the prize as the best-tasting of the russet

apples. This modern variety (I define “modern” as anything introduced after 1900)

was discovered by A.D. Hudson as a seedling tree growing in a fencerow in

Tangent, Oregon, sometime before 1931, when Hudson’s Nursery released it to

the world.

The conical shape of the apple is unmistakable, and the skin is typically

overspread evenly by an attractive light brown russet. As a dessert apple, it is

almost unequaled, except for the old, long-keeping connoisseur varieties like

Ashmead’s Kernel and Esopus Spitzenburg.

Except for not being pyriform (pear-shaped), you’d be excused for confusing

Hudson’s for a Bosc pear, and the pear-like parallels aren’t just skin-deep. The

apple is very sweet, fragrant, low in acidity, and the texture is even slightly “gritty”

on the tongue (though nowhere near as much as some pears). I consider the flavor

and eating quality to be closer to a really good Asian pear than a European pear,

but whatever you want to compare it to, it makes a perfect pairing with cheese

during the late fall and early winter. The slices also hold their shape well in cooking

and baking.

Fruit: Large conical apples have a smooth, dull yellow skin that is usually covered completely with a light brown russet; several sources say the stem is long, though I have encountered apples with shorter, thicker stems. Flesh is yellow, crisp, juicy, very sweet, and fine-textured with a pear-like, nutty flavor.
Growth Habit: Descriptions vary widely. Some say the trees are small in stature and tend to bear biennially; others insist that the trees are large, vigorous, and spreading and bear reliable annual crops. Having other apple varieties nearby for cross-pollination encourages good annual fruit set.
Season: Late October, though fruit can hang on the tree later in the late fall ; apples left on the tree can sometimes crack when fully ripe. Stores well for two or three months, but the flavor does not develop or improve further in storage.
Uses: A superior dessert apple, one of the best for fresh eating in late fall. Also useful for baking or drying. Less so for cider, in my opinion.
Pests and Diseases: Good resistance to disease, especially scab.

Brother Apple