The Rome Beauty is another apple with a lot of special meaning to me. When I was a teenager in Southern California, growing up in Orange County, I took a drive one day and discovered Appleland...it was a place near San Bernardino. I drove up one cool October day, and stopped at a road side stand. It was the first time I ever saw and tasted the Beautiful Rome Beauty Apple. What a treat! Juicy, sweet and crisp with white flesh tinged with red, and brilliant deep true red skin. Shiny as a ruby. I still can almost taste them.

The Rome Beauty is the baker's best friend. Smooth, blazingly bright red skin with sweet, slightly juicy flesh. Primarily cooking apples, their flavor grows richer when they're baked or sautéed.

Apples come in various grades: Extra Fancy, Fancy, and No.1. The top two grades of apples are based on exterior appearance and size.  Apples should be stored at 31 to 32 degrees F at 85-90% relative humidity. Keep them in their boxes as they can absorb odors, and they give off ethylene gas that can hasten ripening in other fruits and vegetables.. Apples come packed in 38-42 # cartons, and 40-45# tray packs with  counts of 48, 56, 64, 72, 80 ,88, 100, 120, 140, 160,  200 or 216 for the smallest.  One medium apple  equals one cup diced apples.

Apple information can be found at this link:
http://www.apples.org/all_apples/index.html

Some great Apple recipes: http://www.epicurious.com/b_ba/b02_twelve/apple/ba_12apples.html