Pomme Pépin de Bourgueil
The Pépin de Bourgueil apple is an old local apple variety, mainly grown in the Indre-et-Loire department. he tree is erect (with vertical branches) and has average vigor. It is sensitive to the codling moth, an insect whose larvae develops inside pears and apples, a very good pollinator. Its late blooming produces dark purple buds and a beautiful flower. The apple is slightly ribbed; it has a straw yellow color with pink hues where it is exposed to the sun, and fawn patches near the stalk. It is a medium sized fruit with a short stalk, covered by a typical light silver pruinescence (a thin waxy coat on the surface which protects against external elements). The flesh is white-yellowish, crunchy, juicy, sugary and aromatic. It can be eaten raw, as a fresh fruit, but it is also excellent to cook. This variety is grown in Potager du Roy, in Versailles, but seems particularly suited to draining soils, such as the sands of Bourgueillois.
No special recipe has been recorded for this apple variety, but it is very good when baked in the oven.
As with all local apples, the production of Pépin de Bourgueil has been replaced by new varieties. In 1900, France had more than 1000 apple varieties, while the Golden apple now accounts for more than 80% of the European market.
Aucune recette particulière n’a été notée pour cette variété de pomme, mais elle serait très bonne cuite au four.
Comme toutes les pommes locales, la production de Pépin de Bourgueil a été supplantée par de nouvelles variétés. Il faut savoir qu'en 1900, la France comptait plus de 1000 variétés de pommes alors que la pomme "Golden" couvre aujourd'hui plus de 80% du marché européen.
