piel de sapa

One of the highlights of our trip to the Geneva USDA apple collection in 2016 was sampling this russeted cider apple from northern Spain. It had been recently added to the orchard, and there was no name on the tag. With the help of the staff we were able to track down the name which translates as ‘Toad Skin.’

Piel de Sapa fruit is medium to large in size, somewhat conic in shape, and almost entirely greenish and reddish-brown russeted, just like a toad. About 20% of the skin is smooth and colored faint orange, yellow and green. The overall impression is a grayish russet somewhat like Pomme Grise. The flavor is semi-sharp, aromatic, and astringent. It’s classified as “semiacida” in traditional Spanish cider.

It ripens late in the fall and is still crisp at the end of December. We obtained our scionwood from the USDA. Currently growing at Super Chilly Farm.