When it comes to tasting the delicious fruit that has starred in various stories, such as Snow White, the choices are not limited to one or two, but there are a variety of species of them. However, unless you are in Tibet, you may never have had the pleasure of tasting the black apples that look like something out of a fairy tale. They are so exotic, that in some places they are considered a gastronomic diamond and are highly valued.
To speak of apples is to speak of varieties; not only are they divided into red, yellow, and green fruits, but within these same classifications, there are many varieties. With many colors, different flavors, and even with mottled aspects, apples are one of the favorite fruits among diners, as they only provide a minimum amount of 100 calories and help reduce blood pressure thanks to the fact that they contain epicatechin.
But, within the variety, there is also a very special apple that is considered the most exotic of them all because of its unique color that differs from the other species. It is called the Black Diamond apple and is a rare species belonging to the Hua Niu family or also known as Red Delicious.
Its name is a little misleading, because Black Diamonds, rather than being completely black apples, actually have shades bordering on purple, although yes, deeply dark.
Why do they have this color?
Their strange color is due to the region in which they grow. Endemic to Nyingchi, a small town in the mountains of Tibet, black apples are exposed to large amounts of ultraviolet rays during the day. In stark contrast, at night they must endure fluctuating temperatures that can drop dramatically.
These factors influence the appearance of the fruit, which develops a deeply dark skin color compared to its other varieties. The flesh, on the other hand, retains its whitish-yellowish color like that of any other apple.
Although those who have tasted them say that their coloration offers a pleasant, sweet crunch, in reality, Black Diamond apples do not differ in nutrients from other species. Their great value comes from their exotic appearance and, for this reason, their cost can be very high, and their harvest time is limited to only two months of the year.
On average a black apple has a market value of 20 dollars each, and they are only marketed in some high-end supermarkets in China.
Text and photos courtesy of Ecoosfera
