Hewes or Virginia Crab

Malus domestica 'Hewes'

Hewes or Virginia Crab is an old crab variety that is cherished for cider.  The small fruit is aboaut 1.5 inches in diameter.  It is purple-red over green background color with translucent yellow flesh.  It has a strong and musky flavor.  It produces an excellent clear dry cider that can stand on its own or be used in blends.  The tree is very productive, virgorous and upright.  It is a good pollinator.  The fruit keeps well.  Ripens midseason in September to October.

Hewes or Virginia Crab is a very old variety.  First described in the early 1800s, but the trees found were said to already be over 100 years old.