When Jews dip apple slices in honey during Rosh Hashana, as many will for the Jewish High Holidays that begin at sundown today, they do so to usher in the new year with sweetness. Both the fruit and honey are mentioned in the Old Testament; honey cake, apple cake and savory dishes such as chicken with apples are holiday favorites.
With so many kinds of apples and honeys available, we thought the effort could be made even sweeter by complementing their specific flavor attributes. So we asked Rowan Jacobsen, apple grower and author of “Apples of Uncommon Character,” (Bloomsbury), for pairing recommendations — which will work for New Year’s blessings as well as any snacking occasion.
Newtown Pippin/Albemarle Pippin with apple blossom honey
Acidic, firm and crunchy, this apple with deep Virginia roots goes well with a very light honey. Symbolically and flavor-wise, a perfect match.
Cox’s Orange Pippin with orange blossom honey
There’s a harmony in the citrusy notes of each one. Gala would work well, too.
Roxbury Russet or Golden Russet with tupelo honey
The apple is a homely greenish brown and about the oldest American variety, dating to the 1600s. Its flesh is hard and dry, with a spice note. (Look for it at farmers markets.) The honey has its own spice note, which some identify as cinnamon and others claim as mint.
Honeycrisp with wildflower honey
The apple has become an easy favorite for its snappy, uncomplicated sweetness, so choosing a honey whose flavor is complex and all-over-the-place makes sense.
Pink Lady or SweeTango with avocado honey
Super-sweet’s the way to go with a honey that’s as bitter as this, for a nice balance.
