Velvet Apple (Budded)

Velvet Apples range in colour from golden-yellow to orange and purplish-red. They have a darkened, permanent calyx at the stem end, and are covered in tiny, brown hairs. Seedless varieties have a short, squat shape, like a persimmon, whereas varieties with seeds are more rounded. They can develop flat spots due to growing in tight clusters of two to four fruits, and can be anywhere from 5 to 10 centimetres wide. The skin is thin and can be tough and bitter and is generally discarded. In some varieties, the skin may have an unpleasant aroma that will dissipate once it’s removed. The white to off-white flesh is crisp when mature and will soften slightly as it ripens. The taste is sweet, and the flavour has been likened to banana-flavoured apples or strawberry-mango yogurt with hints of berries and bubble-gum. Darker, red fruits are considered sweeter than lighter coloured varieties.