We are grateful to Nigel Deacon, a UK enthusiast of red and pink-fleshed apples for the following details:
From the noted California plant breeder Albert Etter in 1944. Bright pink flesh; light pink blossoms. The fruit is crisp with a sweet/tart flavor, conical shape; skin is a creamy pale green. Parent is red-fleshed Surprise. This apple was the Etter Surprise hybrid singled out for patenting and official introduction in the mid 1940s. Good flavour but is very tart for a dessert apple; almost a cooker.
More details on Nigel's website.
Pink Pearl apple identification images
All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.
USDA identification images for Pink Pearl
The identification paintings in the USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection span the years 1886 to 1942.
Citation: U.S. Department of Agriculture Pomological Watercolor Collection. Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD 20705.
Visitor reviews
- 13 Aug 2013 CA., United StatesI have grafted several Pink Pearl but lost them because I kept them in containers. I finally got one in the ground going on 8 yrs. I topped out at about 12ft letting branches bend down from weight of apples then start a new leader above these, keeping center as open as possible. Bears every year but does seem to have a larger crop every other yr. I havest earlier than I should to beat the birds (mid- July ) same season as Grav. , but also like a crisper apple, gets mealy if too old either on tree or in storage. Tip bearing. some scab I don't spray. Flesh color my be redder with more heat. Elv. 2100 to 2200 Nev. Co. Dry hot summers irrigated. Cool to cold winters
- 14 May 2013 CA, United StatesI planted Pink Pearl last year and was delighted to get a few fruits. The flavor and texture is sweet tart and crunchy. Love it! I am really looking forward to see how many I get this year (looks to be a better apple year). I live in the sunbelt in a coastal micro-climate and so far my tree has not had any problems. I plan on planting another one next year so I can have all the pink applesauce and cider want. Yum!
- 17 Oct 2012 OREGON, DOUGLAS COUNTY, United StatesThis cultivar bears fairly large fruit with pale yellowish skin and bright rose flesh. The flavor is awesome - tart and sweet with a bit of tannin if picked early (before yellowish-pink blush on fruit develops). It requires regular watering during the summer at my location, a valley 50 miles from the coast with a cool Mediterranean climate, on a south facing hillside with relatively thin soil. It is vigorous cultivar, somewhat prone to scab. I am planning to plant another row on seedling rootstock.
- 15 Oct 2012 TX, United StatesLovely apple, inside and out. Tart with just enough sweet to be refreshing--like a sweet lemonade. Bought it for the novelty but would buy it again for the great flavor.
- 30 Sep 2011 CA, United StatesWe enjoy this very tart small apple for its flavor and intense hot pink flesh. It is in a cool coastal zone and moderately infected with apple brown spot each year and we must spray with horticultural oil several times.
Tree register
United States
- Albany Appleguy in Castleton, NY
- Alison Gardner in Albion, CALIFORNIA
- Axel Kratel in Santa Cruz, CALIFORNIA
- Brian Phillips in Saint Johns, MI
- Darren Peters in Rock Spring, GEORGIA
- David Shaffer in Harrod, OH
- Emma R. in WINCHENDON, MA
- Gary in Pleasant Hill, CA
- Gina Cook in South Bend, INDIANA
- James Wargo in SOUTHBURY, CT
- Jerry Hudgins in Point Reyes Station, CALIFORNIA
- John R. Szakacs in Ben Lomond, CA
- Martin in Anaheim, CA
- Matt D in Canterbury, NH
- Michelle Nitsch in Saratoga, CALIFORNIA, US
- Mike Haller in SIOUX CITY, IOWA
- Nelson in Oakland, CA
- Ray Wickline in Middletown, MARYLAND (MD)
- Red in Arcata, CA
- Ryan in Poway, CALIFORNIA
- Shirley Morelli in Northport, WA
- Stephan Orchard in Westfield, INDIANA
- Stephen Sain in Los Lunas, NEW MEXICO
- Steve in Silver Spring, MD
- Steve Mountainspring in Dillard, OREGON, DOUGLAS COUNTY
- Susan Abernathy in El Sobrante, CA
- Ted L. Swensen in Portland, OR
- Ted Swensen in Portland, OREGON
- Thomas Griffith in Cottage Grove, WI
United Kingdom
- Nigel Deacon in Leicester, LEICESTERHSHIRE
Belgium
- Stijn in Gent,
Portugal
- Luis Godinho in SAO MAMEDE, BATALHA
Spain
- Jorge Ramirez in VALENCIA, VALENCIA
Canada
- Roger Macpherson in Delta, B.C.
Spring blossom records for this variety
2020 season
- 18th April 2020 - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States
2019 season
- 14th April 2019 - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States
2018 season
- 11th April 2018 - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States
2017 season
- 1st April 2017 - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States
2013 season
- 29th March 2013 - tree owned by Gary in Pleasant Hill, United States
2011 season
- 10th April 2011 - tree owned by Nigel in Leicester, United Kingdom
2010 season
- 1st May 2010 - tree owned by Nigel in Leicester, United Kingdom
2009 season
- 25th April 2009 - tree owned by Nigel in Leicester, United Kingdom
- 18th April 2009 - tree owned by Ted in Portland, United States
Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.
Harvest records for this variety
2019 season
- 3rd week September 2019 - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States
2018 season
- 4th week September 2018 - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States
2017 season
- 3rd week August 2017 - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States
2012 season
- 4th week September 2012 - tree owned by Steve in Dillard, United States
2009 season
- 1st week September 2009 - tree owned by Ted in Portland, United States
Origins
- Species: Malus domestica - Apple
- Parentage: Surprise
- Originates from: California, United States
- Introduced: 1944
- Developed by: Albert Etter
Identification
- Country of origin: United States
- Period of origin: 1900 - 1949
- Fruit colour: Orange / Red
- Flower colour: Pink - dark
- Annual cycle: Deciduous
- Flesh colour: Pink / Red
- Fruit size: Average
- Fruit shape: Conical
Using
- Picking season: Early
- Keeping (of fruit): 2-3 weeks
- Flavour quality: Average
- Flavour style (apples): Sharper
- Juice style: Sharper
- Cropping: Light
- Food uses: Culinary
- Food uses: Juice
- Food uses: Hard cider
- Juice colour: Pale red
- Picking month: August
- Picking period: mid-August
- Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators
Growing
- Gardening skill: Experienced
- Flowering group: 1
- Pollinating others: Poor
- Ploidy: Diploid
- Vigour: Weak growing
- Bearing regularity: Biennial tendency
- Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
Climate
- Climate suitability: Temperate climates
- Climate suitability: Mild damp climates
- Cold-hardiness: Cold-hardy
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)
Other qualities
- Disease resistance: Poor
Where to buy trees
The following tree nurseries offer Pink Pearl apple trees for sale:
- Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (USA) United States
Pink Pearl apple trees - Thomas Fruit Trees (EU) France
Pink Pearl apple trees
Where to buy fresh fruit
The following orchards grow Pink Pearl:
United States
California
- Jack Creek Farms, Templeton
- Prevedelli Farms, Watsonville
- The Apple Farm -- Bates & Schmitt, Philo
Michigan
- Alber's Orchard & Cider Mill, Manchester
- Phillips Orchards & Cider Mill, Saint Johns
Wisconsin
- Door Creek Orchard, Cottage Grove
Canada
British Columbia
- Apple Luscious Organic Orchards, Salt Spring Island
Ontario
- O'Keefe Grange, Dobbinton