Allen’s Everlasting Apples

This is an Irish variety, known since 1864.

The apples are small to medium and flattened-conical. The stalk is of medium length, thick, in a shallow cavity, and strongly attached even when ripe. The skin colour is highly variable depending on the growing conditions. On some sites it is a green russet resembling Ashmead's Kernel; on others it is red and smooth skinned with patches of russet; sometimes there are patches of different colours. Deacon's nursery provides the best description: "yellow flushed red, with some russet".

The taste and shape are distinctive, however, and the variety is usually easier to identify than describe, unless (as occasionally happens) the russet is entirely absent.

The flesh is off-white, rather dry and concentrated in flavour, quite sharp until fully ripe, with hints of citrus; the 'nutty' flavour associated with some russets is absent.

The apple keeps in good condition for three to four months. The acidity declines but the flavour remains strong.