AUTUMN
Beauty of Bath is an ancient variety not commonly seen any more, but thought to be the parent of Discovery, a common garden variety.
“A good apple should have something distinctive, something else…something special.”
know - he and his wife June have run Charlton Orchards in Somerset for almost 60 years, organising farmers markets and giving talks to local schools and gardening clubs to promote the benefits of eating local produce. June was even awarded an MBE for Services to Food Producing Businesses in the South West in the 2011 Birthday Honours List. June and Robin grow over 40 different
varieties of apple on their orchard, based purely on their flavour and many of the varieties can be traced back over 500 years. “Every apple has its use, but they must be picked at the right time. People have become used to apples grown based on three solitary requirements: sweetness, juiciness and crispness. There is no regard to flavour.” And Robin is very passionate about his favourites: “Undoubtedly Orleans Reinette, picked late November or December, with a nice piece of Stilton and a dark Port. Switch the TV off, it is something you will want to savour.” Appreciation for this captivating little fruit is again on the rise. The South-West is home to a large number of orchards producing different varieties for a whole host of uses. If you are feeling adventurous, October is the perfect time of year to utilise some early
winter sunshine and scour the country roads in search of a “pick your own” farm. If you do head to one however, spare a thought for the growers and the uphill task they have faced this year.
The cold Christmas period last year,
followed by a warm, dry start to 2012 brought seeds out of their dormant state and led to budding occurring much earlier than usual. Blossom appeared and was promptly washed from the trees as the rainy season gather pace. On top of that bees, essential for pollination, were confined to their hives as the downpours continued. Robin mentioned staple English varieties such as Cox had been hit hard by the conditions, and that Fortune, a “spicy” apple
AN APPLE A DAY KEEPS
THE DOCTOR AWAY! Apples really are good for you, and have been shown to have benefits against Alzheimers, Parkinson’s and even Cancer. Remember: Always eat the skin! It can have 6 times more antioxidants than the flesh.
of North American origin, had seen an almost non-existent crop. Late-flowerers such as Ashmead’s Kernel and Bramley have thrived however, so expect to see many more of these russeted yellow-gold and green fruits as opposed to the reds and oranges of the Cox of Fortune. The apple’s meteoric rise to worldwide commodity owes much to its versatility. With a host of varieties perfect for eating raw, cooking or pressing, only the tomato rivals the apple as a fruit for any use. Great Britain is the only country in the world to grow varieties specifically for cooking, with the Bramley the most famous and recognisable of all, but ably supported by varieties such as Empire, Golden Noble and Newton Wonder. These apples tend to be larger in size than normal eating apples, and have a much sharper taste. There is so much to enjoy about the apple that it almost seems mandatory to take advantage of the seasonal glut. While the weather has stunted crops there are still plenty of these little fruits to keep the mind occupied searching for new and creative ways to satisfy the tastebuds. Go exploring as down many a country road in the South West will you find an orchard offering a pick-your-own service. Why not try planting your own? There is nothing more awe-inducing than opening the curtains to find your very own apple tree in full blossom, only bettered by the knowledge that a batch of home-grown fruit will arrive soon. A word of warning if planting your own though: choose your variety carefully. The mild yet damp conditions here in the South West can be difficult for apple growing, and ironically it is not often the native varieties that are easiest to grow. Cases of scab and canker tend to be higher here than in the rest of the country, so picking a variety that is more resistant to disease is a good option. Discovery, a native variety that produces red flushed fruit, would be a perfect option. So make sure you really enjoy the apple season. Cook, pick, press, eat, because it only comes round once a year.
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