Åkerö
| Malus pumila Åkerö | |
|---|---|
Photographed in conjunction with the Apple Festival at Nordiska museet, Stockholm, Sweden in September 2014. | |
| Genus | Malus |
| Species | Malus pumila |
| Hybrid parentage | Grågylling x Vitgylling |
| Cultivar | Åkerö |
| Origin | Sweden |
Åkerö, also called Akero or Okera, is an old apple cultivar of Swedish origin.[1] It is a dessert apple with an aromatic flavor.[2]
Åkerö was first described by pomologist Olof Eneroth in 1858.[2] It is probably named after the Åkerö Manor located south of Stockholm, Sweden where according to some it was originally found as a seedling. Today it is still cultivated in Sweden[1] and is regarded as the best Swedish apple.[3] It was once very popular in Scandinavia and northern Germany.[1]
The origin of Åkerö has been debated with some suggesting it was imported from the Netherlands in the 18th-hundreds, and others believing it was a local seedling[3]. A study on the genetic relationship of Swedish heirloom apple varieties confirmed the latter. The parents of Åkerö were two older Swedish varieties named Grågylling and Vitgylling.[4]
The tree is hardy and vigorous with an upright growing habit. It needs cross pollination from a compatible cultivar, and gives a good crop of medium- to large-sized oval fruit. The skin color is a pale primrose with pink flush, and the flesh is juicy with a refreshing[1] raspberry-like[5] flavor and a pale cream color.[1]
Åkerö is a autumn apple, the fruits are picked around October and can be stored until February.[3]