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Ile Alatau Aport apples are moderately-sized, round to oblate fruits, with a slightly flattened, irregular appearance. The skin is smooth, waxy, and covered in a dull bloom, bearing a small patch of brown russet around the stem. The fruit also has a green-yellow base with variegated red striping and blush. Underneath the thin skin, the flesh is pale yellow-green, soft, crisp, and aqueous, encasing a central core filled with a few small, brown-black seeds. Ile Alatau Aport apples are juicy and aromatic with a sweet and sour flavor.
Seasons/Availability
Ile Alatau Aport apples are harvested in the late fall through early winter and can be stored until the spring.
Current Facts
Ile Alatau Aport apples, botanically classified as Malus domestica, are a late autumn variety that belongs to the Rosaceae family. Also known as Zailiyskiy apples, Ile Alatau Aport apples were developed from a cross between reinette burchardt and Alexandrian aport apples at the Kazakh Research Institute of Fruit Growing and Viticulture in Kazakhstan. The apples are locally grown and favored for their sweet-tart flavor, primarily consumed fresh as a dessert variety. Ile Alatau Aport apple trees have also become a popular home garden variety for their compact nature, frost tolerance, and resistance to some diseases. Outside of Kazakhstan, the variety has seen an increase in growth among home gardens in Voronezh, which is a city in southwestern Russia. This increase in cultivation is primarily credited to Yu. V. Kositsyn, who imported a wide selection of fruits from Kazakhstan into Russia to expand the home gardening market.
Nutritional Value
Ile Alatau Aport apples are an excellent source of antioxidants such as vitamin C, which can help boost the immune system and is a good source of fiber, which can help regulate digestion. The apples also contain some potassium, vitamin B6, manganese, riboflavin, and vitamin K.
Applications
Ile Alatau Aport apples are best suited for raw applications as their sweet and sour flavor is showcased when consumed fresh, out-of-hand. The flesh can be sliced and eaten as a snack, chopped and added to fruit and green salads, or quartered and displayed on appetizer plates with cheeses, nuts, and dried fruits. Ile Alatau Aport apples can also be cooked into sauces, compotes, and preserves, cooked and served with roasted meats, tossed into rice, or baked into muffins, bread, cakes, pies, and tarts. Ile Alatau Aport apples pair well with spices such as nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves, raisins, dried apricots, nuts such as walnuts, pistachios, and almonds, and cheeses such as cheddar, bleu, and sheep’s milk. The fresh apples will keep 1-4 months when stored in a cool, dry, and dark place.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
In Almaty, Kazakhstan, apples are a source of national pride and have become the symbol of the city. Despite the fruit’s major presence at local markets and festivals, much of the wild apple forests located near the city have been destroyed due to past urban development and deforestation. To save the remaining forests, protected areas have been established, such as the Ile-Alatau National Park, which spans over seven hundred miles within the Tian Shan mountain range. The protected land serves to maintain and preserve the history of the wild apple cultivar while also educating the visitors on the importance of the region. Visitors can tour the protected areas on guide-led expeditions and learn about the wild apple trees that remain.
Geography/History
Ile Alatau Aport apples were created at the Kazakh Research Institute of Fruit Growing and Viticulture in Kazakhstan. While the exact date of when the variety was developed is unknown, Ile Alatau Aport apples are believed to be a natural cross between reinette burchardt and Alexandrian aport apples. Today Ile Alatau Aport apples are primarily available through local markets and small farms in Kazakhstan. The apples are also grown in neighboring countries throughout Central Asia, in Eastern European countries such as Latvia, and in Southern Russia.
Ile Alatau Aport Apples for sale around the world shared on the Specialty Produce App
Almaty Green Central Market
Zhibek Zholy 53, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Ile Alatau Aport apples of Kazakhstan...Ile Alatau Aport apples are a unique variety originating in Kazakhstan and believed to be a natural cross between Reinette Burchardt and Alexandrian Aport apples. They were developed at the Kazakh Research Institute of Fruit Growing and Viticulture. While local markets and small farms in Kazakhstan are the primary source, these apples are also cultivated in neighboring Central Asian countries, Southern Russia, and even in parts of Eastern Europe like Latvia.
Esentai Gourmet
Проспект Аль-Фараби 77/8, Алматы 050040, Казахстан
Delicious Ile Alatau apples of South East Kazakhstan...Ile-Alatau apples hold special significance for Almaty, Kazakhstan, as they embody national pride and symbolize the city. The surrounding region's wild apple forests have faced destruction from urban development and deforestation. To protect these natural treasures, the Ile-Alatau National Park was established within the Tian Shan mountain range, covering over seven hundred miles. It helps preserve the history of wild apple cultivars and educates visitors about their importance.
Esentai Gourmet
Әл-Фараби даңғылы 77/8, Алматы 050040
Ile Alatau Aport apples are notable for their green-yellow base complemented by red striping and blush, creating an appealing visual contrast. Their smooth, waxy skin carries a natural dull bloom and often displays a small brown russet patch around the stem. Inside, the flesh is pale yellow-green, soft yet crisp, and bursts with juice. These apples offer a delightful sweet and sour taste, making them both aromatic and flavorful, with their core containing a few small, dark seeds.
Esentai Gourmet
Al Farabi Avenue 77/8, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Ile Alatau aport apples of Kazakhstan...Ile Alatau Aport apples have a sweet and sour flavor that shines in fresh consumption. They are versatile and can be added to salads, paired with appetizers like cheese and nuts, or baked into desserts such as pies and cakes. They complement spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg, nuts like walnuts, and cheeses like cheddar. When properly stored, these apples stay fresh for up to 4 months.
Applefest at the Park of the first president
Al Farabi avenue/ corner of Navoi str, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Ile Alatau Aport in gift packages…Ile Alatau Aport apples were developed in Kazakhstan at the Kazakh Research Institute of Fruit Growing and Viticulture. They are believed to be a natural cross between reinette burchardt and Alexandrian aport apples. These apples are primarily found in local markets in Kazakhstan, but they are also grown in neighboring Central Asian countries, Eastern European regions like Latvia, and parts of Southern Russia.
Applefest at the Park of the first president
Al Farabi avenue/ corner of Navoi str, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Pestle apples grown on Ile Alatau foothills…The Ile-Alatau National Park in South East Kazakhstan spans over seven hundred miles within the Tian Shan mountain range and is dedicated to preserving the history of the region's wild apple forests. These apples are a symbol of Almaty and a source of national pride. The park also offers guide-led expeditions for visitors, providing education on the importance of these wild apple trees and the efforts being made to protect their legacy from past deforestation and urban development.
Almaty Central Green Market
Zhibek Zholy 58, Almaty, Kazakhstan
View on Instagram
Ile Alatau Aport apples of Kazakhstan.. Ile Alatau Aport apples are known for their unique appearance and flavor. These fruits are distinguished by their green-yellow base, adorned with striking variegated red striping and blush. Their flesh is pale yellow-green, soft yet crisp, and filled with juiciness. These apples offer an aromatic experience with a balanced sweet and sour taste, making them a prized variety in Kazakhstan.
Green Central Market of Almaty
Zhibek Zholy 53, Almaty, Kazakhstan
View on Instagram
Ile Alatau Aport apples of Kazakhstan.. Ile Alatau Aport apples are celebrated for their versatility in culinary applications. Beyond being eaten fresh, their sweet-tart flavor complements a variety of dishes. They can be sliced into salads, paired with cheeses and nuts, or used in baked goods like pies and muffins. Cooked forms include sauces, compotes, and preserves. Known for pairing well with spices and roasted meats, these apples can stay fresh for 1–4 months in ideal storage conditions.
Central Green Market
Zhibek Zholy str.53, Almaly, Kazakhstan
View on Instagram
Yu. V. Kositsyn contributed to the spread of Ile Alatau Aport apples beyond Kazakhstan by introducing them into Russia, especially in Voronezh. This city in southwestern Russia has seen an increase in home garden cultivation of the variety, largely due to Kositsyn's efforts. These apples are not just notable for their flavor and resilience but are also a good source of vitamin C, fiber, and other beneficial nutrients like potassium and vitamin K.
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