This is a classic French dessert apple; it’s the apple that is traditionally used for French “tarte aux pommes.”
Cooking Tips
Keeps its shape very well when cooked. Also good for cider and cider vinegar.
Many people say that this is the best “indigenous” French apple to cook with.
Nutrition
Many sources say that Calville Blanc d’Hiver Apples have as much or more Vitamin C than an orange. This is false.
Oranges have 50 to 55g per 100g, depending on what source you check with. Calville Blanc d’Hiver Apples have a mean ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) of 17.8 mg/100 g [1]. Most apples average around 6 mg / per 100g. Note that Golden Noble apples, though, are much higher than Calville Blanc, having 25.10 mg / per 100g.
Storage Hints
Tastes even better after a month in storage.
History Notes
Originated in Europe in the late 1500s, known in France by the early 1600s.
Literature & Lore
Monet painted this apple in his still life, “Apples and Grapes”.
Sources
[1] V. Planchon , M. Lateur , P. Dupont and G. Lognay.. Ascorbic acid level of Belgian apple genetic resources. Scientia Horticulturae, Volume 100, Issues 1-4, 19 March 2004, Pages 51-61.