Black Gilliflower apples

Black Gilliflower is an apple variety that’s been traced to Connecticut in the late 1700s. This tall and dark apple has greenish flesh that’s quite dry and not crisp at all. The flavors are very sweet and rich and the aroma is unique.

Although Black Gilliflowers are not used as dessert apples, they’re great for drying. The apples are harvested in September or October and they store fairly well. Their popularity waned in the early 1900s, but these old apples are making a comeback due to their interesting name (also called Sheepnose), shape (similar to a sheep’s nose), and color (deep red that can be very dark).