This striking headline refers to old and regional apple varieties that were once widespread in Slovak and Czech gardens and orchards.

These include varieties such as Kožená reneta, Jadernička, Batul, Panenské české, Matčino, or traditional Slovak regional varieties like Hontianska končiarka or Solivarské ušělachtilé.

The main reason why you can no longer find them in the supermarket

The main reason lies in the demands of modern agriculture and supermarket chains:

Low resistance during transport: Old varieties often have a thinner skin, are easily crushed, and lose appearance and juiciness during long transport.

Inconsistent appearance and size: Supermarkets require a uniform appearance – every apple must be almost identical in size, shape, and color.

Shelf life in cold storage: Modern commercial varieties (such as Gala, Golden Delicious, or Braeburn) are bred to last for months in controlled atmosphere cold storage without losing firmness. Older varieties, on the other hand, are often susceptible to powdery mildew or require specific ripening conditions.

Harvesting difficulties and yields: Older trees usually have tall trunks, which makes mechanical or rapid manual harvesting difficult. Furthermore, they do not produce the same consistent annual yields as modern, intensively planted trees on dwarfing rootstocks.

Where can you find them today? Although they are hardly available in regular retail stores anymore, interest in them is growing again. Today, you can find them at local farmers’ markets, in gene pool orchards, at fruit trade fairs, and with enthusiasts dedicated to preserving traditional fruit varieties.