A Southern heirloom and culinary staple in its native region (Arkansas). The Arkansas Black is small, dense, and glossy—beautiful dark red skin, looks black in some areas. Bright white and very dense flesh that is absolutely packed with intense apply flavor. Grown in the crisp mountain air of Hendersonville, the fruit comes off the tree firm and tart, then mellows as it rests, developing a deep, winey sweetness that chefs love for baking and aging. Stephanie Lively’s trees grow in mineral-heavy soil that gives each apple a bolder flavor.
Roast or bake them and they turn into something rich, balanced, and complex. Think cider, tart, or pork pan sauce. Arkansas Black is a connoisseur’s apple and it’s unforgettable once you’ve worked with it.
