By Mollee Francisco 

First things first. No. 447 is no Honeycrisp, nor will it ever be. That’s the warning issued almost immediately by David Bedford, apple breeder with the University of Minnesota.

“It’s not meant as a full-commercial release,” he said.

While not intended for a future filling the produce aisles of your local Cub or Byerly’s, Number 447 is the latest release from the University’s Horticultural Research Center. And for a program that has only introduced 25 apples to the public in its 99-year existence, that’s notable.

“It’s not the biggest, it’s not the prettiest,” said Bedford of the new release.

What it is, is an apple hardy enough to withstand the harsher, colder climates of northern Minnesota.

“We decided to let it go and see if it fills a niche,” explained Bedford.

No. 447 was developed some 60 years ago in the university’s breeding program. It has already proven its usefulness prior to getting the nod to be released to the public. It is a parent to two previous releases – the Sweet Sixteen and the Keepsake apples and a grandparent to the wildly popular Honeycrisp variety. But those expecting a similar taste to any of those apples, will be very surprised.

“It is the strongest, most unique (apple) I’ve tasted,” said Bedford. He described it as tasting like raw sugar cane with a sweet, molasses flavor.

Bedford said that MN 447 is not ideal for eating on its own, nor would it be good for pies or sauces. It is best suited for use in ciders.

“You could throw a handful of it in for great flavor,” he said.

Those interested in sampling the apple can do so at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum during a tasting weekend Oct. 6 and 7. Samples will be available in the Oswald Visitor Center from 2-3:30 p.m.

The Arboretum is also holding a contest asking the public to help name the new apple. From now until the end of October, the public can submit ideas for the name of the new apple. Bedford and his staff have already submitted a list of names they think appropriate for 447. They include Tropical Punch, Artic Blast and Tundra Crunch.

“We like names that give some indication to the character of the apple,” he explained.

Taste it, name it: You can taste MN 447 at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Oct. 6 and 7 in the Oswald Visitor Center from 2–3:30 p.m. The Arboretum is also sponsoring a contest to name the new release from now through the end of October. For more information or to download a contest form, go to www.arboretum.umn.edu [1] and click on What’s New.