From the Living Museum
Himbeerapfel von Holovousy
- Origin
- Holovousy region, Czech Republic / Bohemia
- Era
- Czech (Holovousy breeding region)
- Type / use
- Dessert
History & Stories
The name refers to raspberry (Himbeere), often indicating aromatic or red-tinted character. Central European heritage variety that has remained relatively little-known in the English-speaking world — interesting for that reason.
Folklore & Name
Czech variety from the Holovousy region (important Czech breeding center). ‘Himbeerapfel’ = raspberry apple, referring to aromatic or flavor notes. Central European heritage type little known in the English-speaking world.
Digging into the History
Below my own notes, here is what the old fruit books and today’s collections record about this apple, kept apart from the stories people tell.
What we know
This is the Czech Malinové holovouské ("raspberry apple of Holovousy"), also called Malináč holovouský 1,2. It was found at the end of the 18th century in Holovousy, near Hořice in the Podkrkonoší region below the Giant Mountains of northern Bohemia 1,2. The Czech gardeners' site zahradkari.cz credits its discovery to Fr. J. z Leveneurů a Grünwallu 1. It is known for a distinct raspberry flavour 1,2, and it is included in the Czech programme for rescuing old varieties 2 (our translations).
What we think: stories & traditions
Holovousy and fruit. Holovousy is home to a well-known Czech fruit research institute. This apple, though, is far older than the institute, and the name only records where it was found 1,2.
Sources
- zahradkari.cz, "Malinové holovouské" (Czech). www.zahradkari.cz/odrudy/index.php?ox=961
- Jiří Vysloužil, "Malinové holovouské," jirivyslouzil.cz (Czech). www.jirivyslouzil.cz/
Curious about Himbeerapfel von Holovousy?
Email us at drgoss@honeytreeorchard.com.