Malus pumila 'Akane' | |
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Species | Malus pumila |
Hybrid parentage | 'Jonathan' × ' Worcester Pearmain' |
Cultivar | 'Akane' |
Origin | Japan, 1937 [1] |
'Akane', also known as 'Tokyo Rose', 'Tohoku No.3' and 'Prime Red', [2] is a Japanese cultivar of domesticated apple, that according to Orange Pippin is one of the best early season apples. [3]
'Akane' was developed by the Morika Experimental Station of Japan sometime between 1900 and 1949, [4] by crossing a Jonathan apple with a Worcester Pearmain, [3] [5] and was introduced to the United States in 1937, where it is very popular. [3] [6]
'Akane' is of moderately good disease resistance, best at warm climates but tolerates cold also. It flowers mid-late season, and should be harvested early-mid season. It is self-sterile and needs to be cross pollinated.
It produces heavy crop of variable sized fruits, [3] usually more to the smaller side, [5] but good sized apples can be obtained by thinning. [7]
'Akane' carries the fruit shape of the English 'Worcester Pearmain', and the unusually good balanced flavor of the 'Jonathan'. [8] Shape ranges from flattened to heart-shaped. [5] Fruits have a very good flavor, a blend of sweet and sharp, preferable for eating, keeps shape in cooking. Flesh color is white, [3] with a yellow tinge. The flesh does not oxidize quickly. The apple is crisp, but not too dense; it is easy to eat. [5] Skin color is red. The fruit keeps fresh for about one week. [3][ unreliable source?]