Sidrunkollane Talioun

Here at Super Chilly Farm this apple is affectionately called Sir Drunk-a-lot, a charming result of our former apprentice, Jordan’s, attempt to spell Sidrunkollane Talioun. No surprise she had trouble; the name is a mouthful. Sidrunkollane Talioun is translated literally as “Lemon-Yellow Winter Apple” which is a bit confusing since this is a late summer variety. The apple is a cross between the Russian standard Antonovka and Okero that was developed at the Polli Agricultural Institute, Estonia in 1946. It was imported to the US by Freedom, Maine timber framer Raivo Vihman who is half Estonian. Raivo arranged for the scionwood to be sent from Estonia to the USDA in Maryland. After it's provisional release, the scionwood was sent to our farm where it underwent further trials before being finally released in 2010. We are probably the only orchard in the country where you can find this apple.

The apple is medium-large sized, yellow, conical and somewhat-ribbed. In full sun it has green spots and a pale red blush. As a dessert apple it has a nice flavor. It cooks quickly into a thick sauce that is a bit tart. The skins do not entirely break down but are easy to chew.

The fruit ripens in early-mid September in central Maine. The tree is winter-hardy, early blooming, and early bearing.