On the show, they were talking of an apple. I know you are probably like me, and I was thinking at the time; so what an apple... I chuckle now at my naivety, for I did not know of this apple they were talking of. No people, this apple was not the one that shall remain unnamed with its bright red color and total lack of taste that long ago left me disillusioned with apples. The apple they spoke of was the Honeycrisp.
Love At First Bite
The radio talkers went on and on about this Honeycrisp and how sweet, yet tart and crisp it was. Not to mention that is was so juicy one had to keep a napkin nearby to whip the chin of its sweet juices. You have to be aware of the context of the time, as I couldn't recall the last time I had bought an apple. But later that Saturday morning as I browsed the grocery store, I came upon a display of Honeycrisp apples. I looked at the price tag and thought they must be crazy charging that much for an apple. I bought two.
Back home, I took my first bite of a Honeycrisp. A flavor explosion of crispy apple goodness happened in that moment, as juice dripped off my chin. I was dizzy a bit, steadying myself against what had just happened. Never in my life had I tasted an apple so good. The first bite set off a love affair for the Honeycrisp that remains strong to this day.
The Separation
My time in Minnesota was brief. Soon I had moved back to Atlanta, and after that to Memphis, where I became editor of a magazine. Years passed by, and every fall, I would scan the apple section of store after store in search of the Honeycrisp. But for a long time, it was not to be. Then one fine day in 2005, I came upon a small display of Honeycrisps at a Kroger in Memphis. Oh the joy!
It was so good to be reunited with the sweet, tart, crisp and juicy Honeycrisp. As it turned out, my excitement about being reunited with the Honeycrisp was so strong that it rubbed off on several of my friends and co-workers. To no surprise, they too fell in love with the Honeycrisp. Since then, I've moved again to the Orlando area. I was so pleased this fall to see the Honeycrisp had made its way this far south.
The Crusade
Here in Orlando, I've turned a few people on to the Honeycrisp. All it really takes is giving one to somebody as a gift. Before you know it, you'll see another convert to the Honeycrisp. I've taken it upon myself to spread the good word about the Honeycrisp, so that everyone will know the joyful experience that is the Honeycrisp apple. I think back to that fall shower in Minnesota every now and then and smile. Little did I know that I was on the verge of a life-long crusade on behalf of a simple apple.
Try a Honeycrisp. You'll Be Happy You Did!
