Why Does Kent Have So Many Fruit Orchards?
If you want fresh organic apples and pears (or apple and pear juice) and you live in Kent, you’re in the right place! Along with Herefordshire, the county of Kent is home to more orchards than anywhere. Apples, pears, plums, cherries – or anything fruity!
So when out shopping, try to look out for artisan brands in farm shops and at the markets. This helps to support organic farmers who are keeping the tradition of growing fruit orchards alive. And this of course also helps to give shelter and free food for birds and other wildlife.
Better than buying from supermarkets, which import 70% of England’s sold apples (most covered in shellac – dead insects – to make them waxy). Read more on how to protect our heritage orchards.
Apple chunks are choking hazards for babies and swallowing difficulties. Keep apple pips/seeds/cores away from pets due to natural cyanide. Ask permission before feeding to equines, as too many cause colic. If given permission, feed cut up from a flat palm, to prevent choking).
The History of Fruit Orchards in Kent
Kent has one of England’s mildest climates. So combined with fertile soil, it’s an apple tree grower’s match made in heaven. Fruit tends to need warmer weather to grow well, so this is about as warm as you get on the southeast coast.
And the Kent Downs and Weald of Kent offers rolling hills full of well-draining fertile soil. You can’t grow good food without good soil, so again this combined with the weather, makes for the best orchard fruits.
Today, Kent grows more fruits than any other county, so we should support it, rather than buying imported fruits from supermarkets. Why buy from abroad, when Kent grows 90% of England’s cherries, and 50% of its plums? Do we hear a fruit crumble recipe coming on, anyone?
Not just fruits, Kent is also known for its beers (as seen by the lovely oast houses used for drying hops, dotted across the landscape.
The other ‘county crop’ is Kentish cobnuts, a kind of hazelnut. They have a distinct sweet flavour and are very nutritious. Unlike most nuts (that are sold dried) these are sold fresh, in season from late August to October. Some say they taste like a cross between a coconut and a citrus fruit!
