The apple is probably the most sold fruit in the world, all doctors recommend this fruit, excellent for health, the adages say that eating an apple a day helps to feel good, and fortunately, it is not difficult to find. Apples can be found in any grocery store or supermarket, where you can choose between the red version, rich in fiber, and the green version, less sweet.

However, there is another version, much less known than the first two and really difficult to see: the black apple, also known as "black diamond".


This alternative apple is called "black diamond" not only because of its dark purple, almost black skin, but also because of its rarity: it is grown in Tibet, in the southeastern region of Nyingch - which means "throne of the sun" - at an altitude of 3,100 meters. 


There are several reasons for its particular coloring: the apple trees are located in the shade of the Himalayas, where the temperature changes abruptly between day and night. Moreover, growing at such an altitude, the fruit receives high doses of ultraviolet rays, which contributes to its hyperpigmentation and thus to the black color of the skin.

The interior, on the other hand, is identical to that of "normal" apples: the flesh is white, crunchy and the taste is not acid, but particularly sweet. Unlike the others, it is not as rich in fiber and does not have the same nutritional values.

Because of its rarity, the cost of a black diamond apple is between seven and twenty euros, which is much more than its red, green or yellow counterparts.

The reason for its high price is that not only is this fruit grown exclusively in Tibet, but it also takes a very long time to ripen: it takes about eight years for a Tibetan apple tree to produce its fruit, almost twice as long as the most common apple trees, which clearly increases its economic price.

In addition, due to its location, the cultivation of black diamond apples does not require the use of disinfectant chemicals, as at such a high altitude there are hardly any insects, which makes these fruits even more valuable.

In China, black diamond apples can be purchased in "luxury" food stores, those considered high-end, in elegant gift boxes and their availability on the market does not exceed two months.

A real little gem of nature that it would be curious to see but especially to taste: if you ever go to Asia, put the precious black apple on your list of things to do - and to eat.