I love this list! Braeburn and Pink Lady are my favorites but now I know what to look for at farmer's markets (though not sure I'll find too many unique ones here in OK). Thank you!
My grandad grew Cox's Orange Pippins in his little garden in Scotland. I remember being confused and disappointed that they didn't taste like oranges! Bramleys are massive and only used for cooking. They're the quintessential pie apple in the UK. The only time I've heard of them being grown in the States was from a woman who made and sold cider here in Wisconsin. I asked politely if she would be willing to sell me a few so I could make a proper British apple pie. I got an abrupt refusal. I made a note not to buy her cider again. 🍎
Oh, so sad that she wouldn't share. I've been very lucky that there are some Bramley growers in WA and have baked with those apples. The first ones I saw were big and green. They remind me of the apples bonkers in The Beatles' Yellow Submarine and also on the Apple record label. https://i.pinimg.com/originals/b8/1d/d1/b81dd1a15d58f258fb5271bedfcefb65.jpg
Oh yes! My favorite is the story that Rowan Jacobsen recounts about the Roxbury Russet. He writes, "Considering its antiquity, Roxbury Russet may well have been the variety of apple tree that ate Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island. Williams died in 1683 and was buried in an unmarked grave. In 1860, an attempt was made to exhume the body and transfer it to some classier digs, but the workmen found no sign of Roger. In his place was the root from a nearby apple tree, which had formed a perfect torso, legs, knees, and feet. The guilty root is now on display in a coffin-shaped box at the Rhode Island Historical Society in Providence." Apples of Uncommon Character p. 197
I love this list! Braeburn and Pink Lady are my favorites but now I know what to look for at farmer's markets (though not sure I'll find too many unique ones here in OK). Thank you!
You are so welcome, Jan!
My grandad grew Cox's Orange Pippins in his little garden in Scotland. I remember being confused and disappointed that they didn't taste like oranges! Bramleys are massive and only used for cooking. They're the quintessential pie apple in the UK. The only time I've heard of them being grown in the States was from a woman who made and sold cider here in Wisconsin. I asked politely if she would be willing to sell me a few so I could make a proper British apple pie. I got an abrupt refusal. I made a note not to buy her cider again. 🍎
Oh, so sad that she wouldn't share. I've been very lucky that there are some Bramley growers in WA and have baked with those apples. The first ones I saw were big and green. They remind me of the apples bonkers in The Beatles' Yellow Submarine and also on the Apple record label. https://i.pinimg.com/originals/b8/1d/d1/b81dd1a15d58f258fb5271bedfcefb65.jpg
Kate, you've inspired me to keep looking! And yes, they are cartoonishly big!
And Cox's Orange Pippins are some of my favs, too.
They were never mine as a kid, probably not sweet enough, but I'd give them a go again now. ❤️
I like a mix of sweet and tart apples in a filling. I think an entire COP would be too much, too.
I am loving the names of the Apple varieties. There must be a story behind every single name!
Oh yes! My favorite is the story that Rowan Jacobsen recounts about the Roxbury Russet. He writes, "Considering its antiquity, Roxbury Russet may well have been the variety of apple tree that ate Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island. Williams died in 1683 and was buried in an unmarked grave. In 1860, an attempt was made to exhume the body and transfer it to some classier digs, but the workmen found no sign of Roger. In his place was the root from a nearby apple tree, which had formed a perfect torso, legs, knees, and feet. The guilty root is now on display in a coffin-shaped box at the Rhode Island Historical Society in Providence." Apples of Uncommon Character p. 197