Apple Favorite

Autumn-ripening variety, developed at the Lomonosov Moscow State University by S. I. Isaev, V. V. Vartapetyan, and G. E. Limberger from seeds obtained through open pollination of an elite hybrid (Antonovka ordinary x Belfler-Chinese) sown in 1951. Approved for cultivation in 1999 in the Northwest and Lower Volga regions.

Tree with a broad, rounded crown, characterized by moderate growth and a fairly sparse, spreading canopy, with strong attachment of horizontally oriented skeletal branches. Fruit set primarily on upright, branched, ring-like buds.

Shoots are short, thick, brown, densely hairy; stipules are convex, frequently arranged; buds are pressed, conical, greenish-brown, hairy. Leaves are large, elongated, curved along the central vein, with a pointed apex, leathery, thick, wrinkled, densely hairy on the underside, with slightly wavy, toothed margins. Petioles bear large lanceolate stipules, moderately colored along their entire length.

Fruits (see photo) are medium-large, flattened-round, with weakly expressed ribbing, smooth surface, primary color yellow, covering color as bright red stripes on a blurred background covering most of the fruit. Subcutaneous dots are whitish, numerous. Peduncle is medium-length, thick. Calyx is small and wide, gently rusted at the peduncle. Receptacle is wide, of medium depth. Calyx is half-open. Subcalyx tube is conical. Core is bulbous, seed chambers are closed, seeds are large, brown, flat, broad.

Flesh is creamy, finely grained, tender, juicy, with excellent sweet-tart flavor. High flavor quality is due to the harmonious balance of sugar and acid in the fruit. Chemical composition of the fruit: total sugars — 12.3% (11.3-13.7%), titratable acids — 0.58% (0.42-0.74%), tannins — 56 mg/100g (35-82 mg/100g), ascorbic acid — 6.5 mg/100g (4.2-7.3 mg/100g), P-active substances — 0.15 mg/100g (0.11-0.18 mg/100g), pectin substances — 8.3% (5.1-12.3%) on dry weight.

Fruit-bearing begins on the 6th-7th year. Harvest ripeness occurs at the end of August to the beginning of September.

Fruits retain their valuable qualities until November.

Winter hardiness of trees is high; resistance to scab is moderate, slightly lower than that of Antonovka ordinary.

Advantages of the variety: abundant yield, high fruit quality (their dessert flavor and attractive appearance), strong crown.

Disadvantages of the variety: short fruit storage period.