Apple name/variety driving me mad

It's not Canadian, but maybe it's the Arkansas Black you found? Berry Creek Farm Arkansas Black Apples

Arkansas available on M9 from Keepers.....
Arkansas apple trees for sale | Order online

Bloody Ploughman available on MM111 from Keepers....
Bloody Ploughman apple trees for sale | Order online

Rosette (Discovery type) available on M9 and MM106 from Keepers.....
Rosette apple trees for sale | Order online

Many of the Spartan/McIntosh/Red Delicious types will turn a dark purplish-black on the sunny side. I've sometimes seen Red Delicious with some pink tinges to the flesh just under the skin.

Those varieties which get tinged red under the flesh tend to do it sunny climates or where the fruit is well-exposed to the sun on dwarf trees. It doesn't happen every season and seems more common in trees slightly lacking in nitrogen. Maybe in half of the seasons Discovery or Red Devil will produce tinges of pink under the skin.

that might be it!!! me and Canadian

thanks fb, I think you have it Arkansas black!!!, not Canadian

It is not certain that the variety called Arkansas grown in the UK national fruit collection is actually Arkansas Black. The origins and many characteristics suggest it is, but I have never heard of Arkansas Black being called just "Arkansas" in the USA. Arkansas Black is a "southern" apple and would be unlikely to ripen in Canada. For that matter it is also unlikely to ripen in the UK. The skin of Arkansas Black only becomes black after long storage. When picked (typically in October) it is a green apple with red or crimson flushes. I do not think it has any relation to the Canadian McIntosh-style apple and there is no geographic proximity. The colour might appear similar but the flesh is extremely dense, with none of the characteristic sweetness of the McIntosh apples.

If you thought your variety was from Canada, it could be Black Oxford - a very cold-hardy variety from Maine, which borders Canada. The skin does get to be a very dark black-red colour.

If you are looking for a red-fleshed variety, neither Arkansas Black or Black Oxford fit the bill. Rosette (which is related to Discovery I think) is probably the best red-fleshed variety. I don't think any red-fleshed variety can really compete with mainstream apples in terms of flavour, but Rosette is hard to beat as a juicing apple - the juice looks like pink grapefruit juice but has a wonderfully balanced sweet-sharp apple flavour.

many thanks orangepippin, some excellent info there , I did a quick search after about the Arkansas Black and some pictures came up with a green apple like you mention, some strawberries I have grown appear different in different climates so interesting the parallel ,

I'm just beginning to harvest some of my Redlove apples. I bought the tree from one of the well known UK garden suppliers a couple of years ago.

In terms of sharpness they are similar to Granny Smith (my favourite), but I would say they have a better apple flavour (though I am comparing to shop bought Granny Smith).

The first pic is this years Redlove, then the second pic is last years. Granted the lighting is different, but I really think this years seem to be more pink. Though it is possible last years apple was picked slightly early.

I've noticed this with Rosette - a far redder colour this year than last year. Perhaps the much later spring, and the much sunnier summer, have something to do with it.

I haven't picked my megared apples yet ( Redlove Circe and Pixirosso, but would say that apart from the fruit, they're very decorative trees, the early leaves and blossom are a delight. Also, I'd be a touch wary of judging from photos, I find that reds are the most inaccurate tones in digital photography.