︎︎︎ MELA CIUCCA
O MUSO DI BUE
The mother plants were recovered in the area of Gualdo Tadino (Perugia) but this variety is mostly widespread in the high hills and mountains of the Foligno’s area and in all of the Umbria-Marche Appennines. Its origin is unknown but it is very suitable for cultivation in the high hills and in the mountains. The tree is vigorous and hardy, with a compressed crown; it crops every other year and blooms mid-to late season. The fruit is medium-large, elongated and with the typical indentation midway on its vertical axis, making it resemble an upside-down pear. The stem is medium-long and inserted in a deep and acute cavity while the calyx is almost non-existent or very shallow. The skin is thick, smooth, a green-yellow colour with red streaks mostly from the sun, and white, marked lenticels. The flesh is white, slightly sour, aromatic and crisp, not very juicy but of very good quality. It is traditionally harvested in October and is stored in the fruit-house, placed in the straw or over paper, until the following spring. This variety is suitable to be eaten fresh and for cooking. It owes its name to its shape resembling the snout of an ox. It may belong to a group of apples called Musone or Nasone (Big Snout or Big Nose). It was already mentioned and described by Mattioli in 1568. Very possibly this apple is depicted in a few paintings by Carlo Crivelli, a painter from the 1400’s who worked a great deal in the Marche region.