From Sharpest, to sweetest:
Grenadier – An early apple, tangy and juicy with a slight honey flavour. It was first recorded in 1862 and is thought to have been cultivated for many years prior to that although there is no record of it’s origin. It received an RHS First Class Certificate in 1883. Can be used for baking
Bramley’s Seedling – The Bramley’s Seedling was raised in a cottage garden in Church Street, Southwell, Nottinghamshire by a young lady gardener, Mary Ann Brailsford, from an unknown seed between 1809 and 1813. In 1848 the cottage was bought by Matthew Bramley and the original tree is still growing in the garden and producing fruit. It received a First Class Certificate in 1883. It is by far the most popular culinary variety grown in the UK.
Discovery – An early dessert apple which is very popular. It was raised in 1949 by Mr Drummer of Langham in Essex from Worcester Pearmain and possibly Beauty of Bath. It was originally named Thurston August but re-named Discovery in 1962. The juice is sweet, light and refreshing.
Bakers Delicious – An old apple originating in Wales which can be used for cooking but generally considered a fantastic eater. A rich sweet flavour with plenty of balancing aciditiy, the fruit is crisp and juicy.
Chivers Delight – Crisp and juicy, with a lightly aromatic, sweet-sharp flavour. If you like Cox’s Orange Pippin you will probably like this
Saint Cecilia - This juicy apple was a popular variety and has an intense aromatic flavour. The flavour is said to be at its most exquisite on St Cecilia’s Day (Nov 22nd). St Cecilia is the patron saint of music
Cox’s Orange Pippin – Raised by Richard Cox (1777-1845), retired brewer from Bermondsey, London. It received an RHS Award of Merit and a First Class Certificate in 1962. The fruits have a rich flavour, sweet, slightly sharp, nutty and aromatic.
Rosetta – Also known as Rosette, this is a new apple, named for the rosette-like pattern of marbled pink flesh that is revealed when you cut open the apple. It is a sport (natural mutation) of Discovery. The juice maintains a pink colour and tastes light and sweet with a hint of summer berries.
Winston – Winston is derived from Cox’s Orange Pippin and Worcester Pearmain which are both sought after apples for their flavour. The apple was originally known as Winter King because of it’s availability through the Winter but was renamed after Winston Churchill in the 40s. As a juice it has a mellow sweet flavour with just a little sharpness.
Falstaff – Falstaff was raised in 1971 from James Grieve and Golden Delicious with an excellent balance of sweetness and acidity
Gloucester – Gloucester is a Cox’s Orange Pippin cross, dark red skinned when ripe, which makes a sweet and mellow juice.
Ashmeads Kernel – A high quality late dessert apple raised in Gloucestershire by Dr Ashmead in about 1700. It received an RHS Award of Merit in 1969 and a First Class Certificate in 1981. The fruits are sweet, a little acid and highly aromatic.
Herefordshire Russet – A sweet juice but with lots of flavour as the apples are less juicy than some
Nb. We won't always have in stock all of these listed varieties but should have at least one to choose from that's 'sweet', 'sharp', or middling.
Sources:
‘The Apple Book’ by Rosie Sanders
Internet: Ashridge Nurseries, Orange Pippin Nursery, GardenFocused.co.uk
This photo is taken from one of the orchards Donna has access to, on a Summer's day when Donna and Grant (of Smaller Footprints) went to pick the delicious St. Celia apples.