Apples

Every culture has some some food items which are representative of oneself, and develops very detailed classifications and refined tastes for these items. Tea for the Chinese and Japanese, durian for the Malaysian, wine for the French, and apple for the British.

Back in Hong Kong, apple is apple, the main distinguishing features would be red vs. green, and the Delicious (the US deep red variety - the distinctive position achieved through years of marketing).Once past this stage not many people would care about the actual variety (similarly for grapes).

In the UK, an utterly different case. People know about the varieties and would develop specific likings. After spending time in the UK I became aware of the subtle differences in the tastes, colour and texture of different varieties. Most of these varieties are of cause UK-cultivated, hence the rich variation present and the ease of trying successive types and then discover their differences. A few of the varieties I know of (the description is by memory, I don't consume so many apples nowadays):

- Gala - red apples with vertical stripes. Red not so intense and quite rounded in shape.. All-rounded taste and tends to be sweet. Crisp or soft

- Bareburn - Red apples with shades of green lurking beneath. The red has a hint of ruby intensity. Tends to be crisp, taste is sharp and refreshing

- Cox. Red apple ususally smaller in size. Tends to be soft. not very outstanding taste (more subtle)

- Delicious. Red apple without stripes. Very intense dark red. Can be crisp or soft. Sweet infused with a sense of sharpness but and leaves aftertaste or 2 sides of the tongue

- Golden delicious - green apple but towards golden in the shadow. Usually soft. Sour with with an aftertaste of sweetness. Rounded in shape

- Granny Smith - Intense green apple almost glowing green. Usually crisp and sharp in taste

- Pink lady - Intense bright pink apple. Can be soft or crisp, sweet and more complex in flavour

Not to mention very big, wide-bodied green cooking apple to make apple & pork stew or apple pies (to be verified). There comes a time in spring when all of them rush to the market, and supermarkets would have apple festivals. At those times one can purchase the above varieties and distinguish the difference.

Only when the great varieties are omnipresent then one will realise the subtle differences, and appreciate the complexity in the subject, hence understand the refined taste. This goes for everything under the sun.