Posof Apple Badele Apple Product Description and Distinguishing Features: Posof Apple / Badele Apple is derived from the red-fleshed Uruset apple variety. Badele is the former name of the Turkgozu village, which is famous for its fruit orchards in the Posof district. It is known that the Badele Apple, also identified as the Posof Apple, originated from this village. The key distinction of Posof Apple / Badele Apple from other apples primarily arises from both natural and human factors. The natural factor is the microclimate characteristics within the geographical boundary, and the human factor involves knowledge and expertise in grafting and other cultural practices. The distinguishing feature of Posof Apple / Badele Apple lies in its high content of anthocyanins and total phenolic compounds, contributing to its elevated antioxidant capacity. Additionally, the presence of high levels of anthocyanins in both the fruit peel and flesh enhances its antioxidant activity.The phenolic content of Posof Apple / Badele Apple is 578.7 mg/100 g in the fruit peel and 112.2 mg/100 g in the flesh.The anthocyanin content in the fruit peel of Posof Apple / Badele Apple is highest at 49.1 mg/100 g, while in the flesh, it is 35.9 mg/100 g. Physical Characteristics of Posof Apple / Badele Apple: The weight of Posof Apple / Badele Apple ranges from 58.34 to 172.62 g, with a height and diameter between 4.5-7 cm and 8.5-5 cm, respectively. Posof Apple / Badele Apple has a slightly flattened appearance compared to other dessert apples (Figure 1). Another morphological feature is the minimal depth of the blossom end and its alignment almost parallel to the surface, unlike regular apples. In fully ripened Posof Apple / Badele Apple, the outer skin is dark red (wine-red), the inner flesh is red, and the taste is sweet (Figure 2). In less ripe fruit, the skin color is green-red, the flesh is light red, and the taste is sour. Production Method: The apple production method in the Posof district is not different from other apple cultivation methods; however, apple cultivation continues through traditional methods passed down through generations. In Posof, wild apple and wild pear trees are subjected to cleft and wedge grafting, and animal manure is used. Additionally, due to fertilization, wild weeds growing at the base of grafted trees are hoed throughout the season.Thanks to the wild apple and wild pear trees being the rootstock species in Posof, apple trees can yield produce for several generations. Nevertheless, when grafting is performed on agricultural trees planted in the Posof district, the distinctive features of the product remain unchanged. In orchard areas where the land surface topography is slightly micro-relieved within the geographical boundary, hard-seeded fruits are produced by grafting scions taken from selected trees by an expert to the Eğridir Horticultural Research Institute or an appropriate institution, where grafting is carried out on suitable rootstock species. Saplings are planted at intervals of 5m x 3m. Grafting begins in mid-April and continues until mid-August. Product is obtained from the grafted tree within approximately one year.Posof Apple / Badele Apple, obtained from mature trees, is harvested no later than the end of August and the beginning of September. Depending on the distinctive features of the harvested apple, it is stored in cold and humid conditions.