Red Astrachan apple

USDA identification images for Red Astrachan

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

• 29 Mar 2020  WASHINGTON, United States

  The Astrakhan variety of apple figures prominently in "The Emigrants" series of novels by Vilhelm Moberg. These books tell the story of farmers who emigrated to Minnesota from Sweden. The wife of the main character misses the apples, so her husband arranges for seeds to be sent to their farm from family in Sweden.
• 07 Sep 2019  NH, United States

  In the South of Russia there is a city called Astrakhan. That's where the Apple tree comes from. There is another Apple tree, which is called White Astrakhan. It was widespread in America a century ago. It's rare now. White Astrakhan in the past was very famous in Russia. It is an Apple that is often described in fairy tales as an Apple for a Princess-"nalivnoe yablochko :)) on a gold plate"
• 05 Dec 2015  Canada

  I have grown an Red Astrachan for two decades. The summer of 2015 fruit was ripe before the end of July here on a south slope on Vancouver Island. Picked from the tree: red, sweet and still crisp, these are an early season treat. Then quickly, only apple sauce is an option.
• 29 Sep 2015  NOVA SCOTIA, Canada

  I believe we have an old Astrachan apple trees on the North Mountain, including two on our acre of land. They are wonderful apples, but more green than red — tart and crisp, but ours get wormy before they really ripen. But I still eat around the spots and make the best apple sauce.
• 06 Sep 2015  PA, United States

  I grew up in western PA and our old farmhouse came with a very old orchard of several different apple varieties. My favorites were Astrachan-- but I have never seen the name written until your website. As I remember those our family called Astrachan were very beautifully striped and not mostly solid red as in your picture. Otherwise description is fairly accurate as I remember. Are there other varieties of Astrachan?
• 27 Aug 2015  IL, United States

  I believe this is the apple tree we have on our farm. I have old pictures (pre-1940) that show this tree.
• 23 Oct 2013  MAINE/LINCOLN, United States

  When I was growing up, my family owned a wonderful apple orchard. We had mostly Macs, Delicicious, Gravensteins. Also had Wolf River, Russets, so-called Strawberry apple. Just a few Red Astrachans which were my absolute favorite. Have not had a bite of one for years and miss that experience sorely! Will chase down the two listed sites that grow them here inMaine.

Tree register

• Map view
• Register your trees

• United States24
• Poland1
• Norway1

Where to buy fresh fruit

The following orchards grow Red Astrachan:

United States

• Connecticut

  • Country Corners Farm, Griswold

• Iowa

  • Wilson's Orchard, Iowa City

• Maine

  • Pietree Orchard, Sweden
  • Sweetser's Apple Barrel and Orchards, Cumberland Center

• Massachusetts

  • Keown Orchard, Sutton

• Michigan

  • Alber's Orchard & Cider Mill, Manchester

• North Carolina

  • Big Horse Creek Farm, Lansing

• Washington

  • Piper's Orchard, Seattle

• Wisconsin

  • Cider House of Wisconsin, McFarland
  • Door Creek Orchard, Cottage Grove

Canada

• British Columbia

  • Salt Spring Apple Company, Salt Spring Island

• Ontario

  • O'Keefe Grange, Dobbinton