With over 7500 different varieties of apples in the world, most people are familiar with a few breeds of the fruit. But, while names like “Granny Smith” and “Golden Delight” may sound familiar, there’s one breed that you might be hearing about for the first time – the “Black Diamond.”
This rare apple breed’s name is a bit misleading, though; the fruit sports a deep purple color and isn’t actually black. Disappointed? Don’t be; the fruit is still absolutely stunning and appreciably rare. These apples are grown in only one place – a remote city named Nyingchi, which is tucked into the mountainous lands of Tibet.
Nyingchi has fluctuating weather conditions, and the temperature varies rapidly during the day and overnight. The apples are also consistently exposed to ultraviolet light, which affects their otherwise red skin and causes it to take on a shade of deeper purple. However, the inside of the apple retains its typical white color.
Growing the rare Black Diamond is a challenge even for the most experienced farmers in Nyingchi. The apple can only grow in particular weather conditions, including the warm temperatures and consistent sunlight offered by the mountainous region. Additionally, the fruit is forced to adapt to survive in the harsh mountainous region – at night, temperatures typically fall rapidly from warm to below-freezing.
Black Diamonds are high in demand, but their supply is considerably limited for several reasons. First, the fruit’s growth process demands around eight years or more, compared to the 2-6 years of many other breeds. The harsh conditions that help the apples grow also take a toll on farmers, making it difficult to tend to the crops. Moreover, only around 30% of the grown fruit meet the required quality standards – so farmers are left with a significantly reduced share to sell. For these reasons, farmers hesitate to produce Black Diamonds.
Wondering what the Black Diamond tastes like? Then you’ll be glad to learn that its taste is as unique as its skin color, contributing to the rare breed’s demand. Popularly referred to as the “scorpion fruit,” this apple boasts more sweetness than your typical breed, thanks to the higher levels of glucose and natural, organic sugars. Additionally, the Black Diamond also has an especially crunchy texture.
If you’re looking to taste a Black Diamond, you’d either need to visit Nyingchi directly or visit a high-end supermarket in Asia that sells them. These rare apples are available for just two months in a year at select locations, and because of their limited supply, the price tag on these fruits is steep. You can expect to pay anywhere from $7-$20 for the sweet, crunchy fruit.
There are some interesting rumors surrounding the Black Diamond, with some claims that it’s poisonous and others that it has unique health benefits. However, both of these rumors are untrue. While the apples have no traces of poison, they also have no nutritional benefits over more common breeds like the Red Delicious. That doesn’t mean Black Diamonds aren’t healthy, though; apple breeds, in general, offer nutritional benefits, with the fruit being high in fiber and linked to improved heart rates and immunity.
Black Diamond apples are a fascinating natural anomaly – they are a product of harsh, unique weather conditions that are difficult to replicate. If you ever get the opportunity to taste one, you’ll be in for a treat.
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