When Jews dip apple slices in honey, as many will for the Jewish High Holidays that begin with Rosh Hashanah on Sept. 24, they do so to usher in the new year with sweetness. Both the fruit and honey are mentioned in the Old Testament; honey cake, apple cake and savory dishes such as chicken with apples are holiday favorites.
With so many kinds of apples and honeys available, we thought the effort could be made even sweeter by complementing their specific flavor attributes. So we asked Rowan Jacobsen, apple grower and author of “Apples of Uncommon Character” (Bloomsbury, 2014), for pairing recommendations — which will work for new year blessings as well as any snacking occasion, along with nuts and cheese.
• Newtown Pippin/Albemarle Pippin with apple blossom honey: Acidic, firm and crunchy, this apple with deep Virginia roots goes well with a very light honey. Symbolically and flavorwise, a perfect match.
• Cox’s Orange Pippin with orange blossom honey: There’s a harmony in the citrusy notes of each one. Gala would work well, too.