White Transparent is an old Russian apple variety, quite widely grown in Europe (and also in the USA where, confusingly, it is known as Yellow Transparent).
White Transparent has two notable qualities. It ripens very early - often as early as the third week of July. Secondly, it is exceptionally cold-hardy.
White Transparent can be eaten fresh, but the apples are generally quite soft when mature. It is primarily an apple for the kitchen, where it easily cooks down to a light and very smooth apple puree with a good flavour. For cooking it is best to pick the apples slightly green.
Next deliveries: December 2024 - February 2025
White Transparent has exceptional cold-hardiness. Its natural vigour seems to help it shrug off most disease problems.
It can lapse into biennial bearing - fruiting only every other year. This seems to be associated with its natural tendency to over-crop. The problem can be managed by aggressive thinning of the fruitlets in early summer in the "on" year. Remove all but one fruitlet from each cluster, and then thin the clusters - it seems harsh but you will get a better crop of better-sized apples.
This variety description was researched and written by Orange Pippin staff. Last checked: 2024.