Kandil Sinap is an heirloom apple with a fascinating backstory and an equally distinctive appearance. Discovered on the Sinap peninsula of the Black Sea in 1700s Turkey, this variety grows into a substantial tree reaching 8 to 12 feet tall and thrives in hardiness zones 5 through 9. Its unusual oblong, almost cylindrical form and waxy skin set it apart visually from common round apples, while its juicy, sweet-tart, complex flavor makes it equally at home in a pie or eaten fresh. These apples store remarkably well for months, and the tree bears reliably and heavily once established.
Full Sun
Moderate
5-9
144in H x ?in W
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High
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The 'sweet apple of Sinap' earned its Turkish name for good reason. Its distinctive elongated shape and smooth, waxy skin immediately distinguish it from standard apple varieties, while the flesh delivers a nuanced sweet-tart complexity rather than simple sweetness. Unlike many heirloom apples prone to biennial bearing, Kandil Sinap fruits prolifically year after year, though heavy thinning intensifies both flavor and production consistency. Few apples combine such remarkable storage longevity with such versatility between fresh eating and baking.
Kandil Sinap excels in both the kitchen and the fruit bowl. Its balanced sweet-tart flavor and firm flesh make it outstanding for baking in pies, cakes, and tarts where it holds its shape and adds complexity to the filling. Fresh eating reveals its juicy character and nuanced flavor at its best. The variety's exceptional storage capacity, keeping for months in proper conditions, made it invaluable historically for households and communities needing apples well into winter and spring.
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“Kandil Sinap's journey began in the 1700s on the Sinap peninsula along the Black Sea, in what is now Turkey, where it was discovered growing in its native region. The name itself preserves this geographic origin, translating to 'the sweet apple of Sinap' in its homeland. This heirloom has survived centuries by proving its value to growers who recognized both its distinctive character and its practical virtues: heavy yields, reliable bearing, and exceptional storage. Its preservation through centuries of cultivation across diverse climates speaks to the apple's resilience and the recognition by generations of orchardists that some varieties deserve to endure.”