Is there life beyond Macintosh or Red Delicious? Yes, says Rowan Jacobsen. And there always has been. Remember that old tree in your neighbors yard? The fallen apples alongside country roads? Well, while the supermarkets had limited their offerings to but a few mealy or waxy options, all those old apple trees kept producing fruit. Apples are unparalleled in their diversity and character, with tree lives that span human generations. With the national embrace of local foods and a bid for more biodiversity, consumers are demanding wider range of apples. And they're out there for the eating, from heirlooms to new designer varieties.Apples have strong personalities, ranging from crabby to wholesome--something celebrated across America every fall, when farmers' markets, pick-your-own orchards, and progressive markets like Whole Foods overflow with piles of colorful orbs, their skins aswirl in red, orange, yellow, green, black, even purple. As the market finally realizes that Americans like produce with panache and pedigree, it has re-discovered the fruit with ultimate range.

The Black Oxford apple looks like a plum. The Knobbed Russet looks like the love child of a toad and a potato. (But don't be fooled by its looks.) The Winter Banana has hints of banana. The D'Arcy Spice has pink freckles and a dash of orange near the stem, and leaves a hint of allspce on the tongue. When Hidden Rose is cut open, its inner pink is revealed.Now, in full color, with more than 150 photographs, Apples shows us the forbidden fruit in all its glory. After collecting specimens from all over North America, Jacobsen selected 120 to feature in this glorious and important book, each accompanied by an art-quality photograph, description, and listing of characteristics.

In addition, Apples features 20 recipes, from savory to sweet, essays on history and lore, resources for buying and growing, and a glossary of terms. It's the book every self-respecting foodie and apple lover will have to have.