Belle de Boskoop Apple

Belle de Boskoop is a large, tart, heirloom apple that originated in Boskoop, Netherlands, in 1856. Recognized for its rustic greenish-yellow skin with red blush and russeting, it has firm, crisp, aromatic flesh with high acidity. This makes it an outstanding all-purpose apple—excellent for pies, cakes, and strudels, prized in cider blends, and sharp but enjoyable fresh if you like a tangy flavor. A superb keeper, its flavor mellows and improves in storage over several months.

The tree is vigorous, heavy-bearing, and some have reported showing a good resistance to scab and canker. It is triploid, requiring a compatible mid-blooming pollinator, and ripens late in the season. Hardy to zone 4, will liekly do well in most places in Western Montana. Likely wouldn't survive in areas that experience below -40F.

Please note: this is the first year we’re growing Belle de Boskoop in Montana, so our notes are based on trusted secondhand sources rather than firsthand experience.

Image courtesy of Wikimedia user Sandstein