They are popular on the eastern seaboard of North America. They are usually very affordable apples.
Cooking Tips
Rome Beauty Apples can be eaten, but because they have a thick skin, are less juicy than other apples and are a bit bland raw, they are primarily used for cooking. A bit of sweetener and cooking helps their taste to come alive.
They don’t really have enough juice for good applesauce or pies, but you can compensate with a bit of added water, lemon juice or apple juice. Very good for baking whole and in Cobblers, Apple Betty, etc.
History Notes
Originated in orchard of Joel Gillette in Proctorville, Rome Township, Lawrence County, Ohio in 1848.
Literature & Lore
Alan Davidson, in “The Penguin Companion to Food” (London, 2002), says “While some deep red apples are good, there are also insipid varieties such as ‘Rome Beauty’, which sell on their looks alone”. (p31-32)
Language Notes
Named after the township of Rome, in Lawrence County, Ohio.