Black Oxford is Maine’s most famous apple. In his book, The Apples of Maine, George Stilphen writes: “Black Oxford was found as a seedling by Nathaniel Haskell on the farm of one Valentine, a nailmaker and farmer of Paris in Oxford County, about 1790 and the original tree was still standing in 1907, the farm being then owned by John Swett.
Black Oxford is an all-purpose variety, and we recommend it for everything: fresh eating, pies and cider. Leave the skins on for a delightful pink sauce. (The skins will dissolve.) Best eating from late December to March, although it keeps all winter into spring.