Caville Blanc

Caville Blanc

The only “non-American” of our Original 12, the Caville Blanc apple has a fascinating history. Dating from the late 1500s in either France or Germany, it was grown in the gardens of French King Louis XIII. The famous impressionist Claude Monet included this apple in his 1880’s painting  “Apples and Grapes.” This vigorous tree produces medium to large pale green to yellow apples with an oblate “flat” shape and 5 large lobes. With a sweet lemony flavour, the Caville Blanc is prized by French chefs as the perfect apple tart apple. Also wonderful as a cider and fresh-eating fruit, it has a very high level of Vitamin C.

Charles and I enjoyed our first Caville Blancs at Wolfe Orchard in Monticello, IL. It became a favorite of Charles, and we knew we wanted a tree for our own orchard.

Also a favorite of Thomas Jefferson.