The Roxbury Russet is America’s oldest named apple variety, first cultivated in the 1600s near Boston. With its golden-green skin, often speckled and russeted, this heirloom apple may not win beauty contests, but it makes up for it in flavor. The flesh is firm, crisp, and finely textured, with a rich, complex balance of sweet and tart notes. It has a distinct winey character that deepens as the apple ripens, making it excellent for fresh eating, cider-making, and baking alike.
Kinderhook, NY
Samascott Orchards is a fourth-generation, family-owned farm in Kinderhook, New York. Originally a dairy farm, it shifted to fruit growing in the 1960s and is now Columbia County’s largest pick-your-own farm, with over 1,000 acres and more than 70 apple varieties. The farm offers a seasonal PYO experience, a garden market selling fresh produce and local goods year-round, and homemade ice cream with over 100 unique flavors. Despite a barn fire in early 2025, the family continues to provide fresh, high-quality products to their community.
