In the spring of 2012, Original Sin’s founder established a test orchard on his family's old dairy farm in Upstate New York. Planted on a trellis system, the orchard contains over 150 apple varieties, including cider apples, modern cultivars, and historically significant varieties. Each year, we strive to add interesting new varieties to our collection. We view our orchard as an Edible Museum of Apples.
Growing historical apples has connected us to our nation's rich agricultural heritage. During America's Golden Age of Pomology (the science of fruit growing) from 1805 to 1905, there were as many as 17,000 named apple varieties. These apples came in all shapes, sizes, and flavors. Unfortunately, many of these varieties have been lost to history.
The growth of the U.S. cider industry has be accompanied by a renewed interest in apple cultivation. Today, both hobbyists and commercial orchardists are planting a wider selection of apple varieties. This diversity is most evident at farmers' markets in apple-growing regions across the country.
If you come across an unfamiliar variety at a fruit stand, we encourage you to give it a try. A bite of an heirloom apple might open your eyes to the fascinating world of fruit diversity.