Desert

Sep 27 2009

Apple – Egremont Russet

The Egremont Russet apple is a classic English Victorian variety, originating in England in 1872. Believed to have been raised by the Earl of Egremont in Petworth, Sussex, England.

This medium sized desert apple has a dull golden skin flecked with yellow and is the third most common apple in cultivation in England and Wales.

The flesh of the Egremont Russet is quite dry but juicy with a sharp-sweet, delicately “nutty” flavour. The flesh becomes drier with keeping.

Uses: Desert
Parents: Unknown
Flowers: Mid May
Picking: October
Natural Storage: October to December.

The Egremont Russet can be found growing in the orchards of Acorn Bank House, Temple Sowerby, Cumbria.
Young trees available from Adams Apples

Sep 26 2009

Apple – Kidds Orange Red

Kidd’s Orange Red is a classic English apple. Named after an amateur New Zealand apple breeder, J.H. Kidd, in the 1920s.

The thin skin is yellow with a pink blush as it ripens, turning to an orange-red flush by the time it is ready for picking. Irregular light patches of russet can give it a marbled appearance.

Flesh is a cream colour, dense and firm with a sweet honey flavour.

A good garden apple but not a heavy cropper.

Uses: Desert
Parents: Cox’s Orange Pippin x Red Delicious
Flowers: Mid May
Picking: October
Natural Storage: Nov-Jan

Sep 26 2009

Apple – Norfolk Beefing

The Norfolk Beefing or Norfolk Biffin apple was raised in Norfolk, England and first recorded in 1807.

Fruits are very firm, round and slightly flat, about 5cms across and about 4 cms high with a course, juicy texture. The skin is yellow-green, but with brown-purple and dark red streaks.

Inside, the crisp flesh has a green tint, acidic with a hint of cinnamon.

The apples store well, getting sweeter with keeping, and are even sweet enough to use as desert apples by March the following year. A good cooking and drying apple.

With keeping, they turn a deeper brown or maroon colour, with harder, more solid flesh.

These apples were popular with Norwich bakers and were sent to London fruiterers as a delicacy. They were also used for cider making

It is best cooked whole in a very slow (bread) oven for over 4 – 5 hours.

Uses: Culinary
Parents: Unknown
Flowers: Mid May
Picking: Mid October
Natural Storage: December – April

Where to find the Norfolk Beefing apple: Acorn Bank, Temple Sowerby, Cumbria.

Sep 26 2009

Apple Lord Lambourne

Raised in 1907 by Laxton Bros. Ltd, Bedford, England and introduced by them in 1923.

Received the Bunyard Cup from The Royal Horticultural Society in 1921 and an Award of Merit in 1923.

Fruits have a slightly course texture with bright striped skins. They are juicy, moderately sweet and armoaic with a hint of strawberry.

A good garden apple but no longer commercially grown because the waxy skins clog mechanical grinders.

Uses: Desert
Parents: Female – James Grieve, Male – Worcester Pearmain
Flowers: Early to mid May
Picking: Mid September
Natural Storage: September to November