FOOD NEWS
What's So Special About 'Black Diamond' Apples?
By Crystal Antonace
According to the University of Illinois Extension, there are more than 7,000 apple varieties grown worldwide. The most sought-after types in America include fuji, gala, Honeycrisp, and red delicious, but there is one apple variety from Asia that has garnered quite a bit of attention for its elusive characteristics.
The fairly mysterious black diamond apples are grown explicitly in Tibet, and according to Mental Floss, its rare dark purple skin is created through the varying temperature changes found in the Nyingchi mountains. During the day, the growing fruit is exposed to constant sunlight at higher-than-average altitudes, only to endure cold temperatures in the evening.
Britannica showcases how Tibet’s rare climate endures significant temperature changes, ranging from 85 F during the day to as low as -2 F at night. It also takes eight years for a plant to bear fruit, and its finicky growing conditions and rare color hike its price in Asian supermarkets, where the extra-sweet fruit is often sold for $7 apiece.