The Arkansas Black is an apple variety that originated in the mid-19th Century in Benton County, Arkansas. It begins the season dressed in red with shoulders of green. As the weeks progress, the skin eventually turns a burgundy so deep, it's almost black. The Arkansas Black has been described as "one of the most beautiful of apples." It can be kept for six months. Its flesh is golden hued and juicy with a fine-grained and crisp texture. Its highly aromatic and sweet-tart flavor mellows and becomes more palatable with storage. The flesh as well will soften with storage, when first harvested the Arkansas Black apple is extremely hard, almost to the point that many would find it difficult to eat out of hand.