"Developed in Roxbury, Massachusetts in the early 17th century, the Roxbury Russet is considered the first distinctly American apple variety. Featuring a green skin prone to russets (rough, brown patches), it has a firm flesh with a tart taste and a high sugar content that makes it ideal for cider, in addition to eating and cooking. Harvested in the fall, the Roxbury Russet stores well throughout winter as its flavor continues to develop."
"Thomas Jefferson recorded planting the Roxbury Russet in the South Orchard of his Monticello estate in 1778. It was just one of the 18 apple varieties that he grew there. It's possible that he may have used the Roxbury Russet for cider, though it wasn't one of the four main varieties that he was known to have focused on. Unlike the lost apple variety that Jefferson used to grow, today, the Roxbury Russet can still be found at Monticello, and you can even order trees from the estate."
Roxbury Russet originated in Roxbury, Massachusetts in the early 17th century and is considered the first distinctly American apple variety. The apple has green skin prone to russets, firm flesh, a tart taste, and high sugar content, making it suitable for cider, eating, and cooking. It is harvested in the fall and stores well through winter while its flavor continues to develop. Thomas Jefferson planted Roxbury Russet in Monticello's South Orchard in 1778 among 18 apple varieties. Monticello still grows Roxbury Russet and offers trees for order. Jefferson cultivated over 1,000 fruit trees and attempted to introduce European produce such as broccoli.
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