Nearly all of our apples and pears in supermarkets are now imported, a crying shame considering many heritage local varieties are at risk from extinction. Learn more on how to restore our neglected heritage orchards.
Apple chunks are choking hazards for babies and people with 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 (feed cut up from a flat palm, to prevent choking).
Due to England’s mild climate, England’s apples and pears are some of the best-tasting on earth, but not the ones sold in most supermarkets. They mostly spray apples with shellac (made from dead insects, to make them waxy) so always look for organic apples in farm shops, if you live nearby. And likewise, ripe juicy pears are more likely to be found in markets, as supermarkets ship rock-hard pears in from abroad (often frozen).
which apples & pears to use for what?
There are hundreds of varieties of English apples and pears, so don’t just limit yourself to Cox, Braeburn and Granny Smith!
- Bramley apples are good for cooking, as they are too sour raw. Use in apple pies and crumbles, or to make apple sauce.
- Red Prince apples are sweet and tart, and smell a bit like roses!
- Evelina apples are crisp and sweet, with a little acidity.
- Cox was invented in Slough (Surrey) and a good balance of tart and sweet.
- Granny Smith is very tart, and good for making French tarte tatin.
- Comice pears are particularly good with vegan cheese!
