While our UK growers are still busy picking this year's crop, new season apples and pears are appearing on Supermarket shelves
On Wednesday The English Apple Man visited M&S ALDI Tesco and Sainsburys to view new season British apples & pears on Supermarket shelves.
What I saw was pleasing, while as expected imported apples and pears still predominate, home grown Gala, Cox, some traditional varieties; Egremont Russet, Early Windsor, Rubens, Fuji, Norfolk Russet (heritage) are on display. In addition some new 'kids on the block' Zingy R (new) Kissabel & Smitten (newish) were also on display.
Marks & Spencer
Below: Scarlett Paradise - Exclusive to M&S from Worldwide Fruit Ltd
Below: Kissabel - Kissabel is the new and exciting range of red- and pink-fleshed apples
Below: 'Heritage varieties; left. Egremont Russet and right. Norfolk Royal Russet
Below: left. M&S Smitten and right. M&S Royal Gala
Below: left. M&S Organic Santana pack and right. Santana apple
It had been known for quite some time that Santana has low allergenic properties. This means that many people with a mild apple allergy can simply eat this apple.
TESCO
Below: Tesco display presents consistently apples & pears at their best
Below: ZINGY R - A new apple variety grown by Adrian Scripps Ltd in Kent
Discover Zingy R , a revitalising zing gives way to a lingering natural sweetness : a perfect moment, a perfect taste, just for you.
Below: left. Tesco Organic Santana and right. Rosedene Gala
Below: Tesco 'new season' Bramley - looking fresh & tempting
ALDI
Below: left. a large pack of Red Apples (Cox) and right. Polybag Cox apples 'all grown in North Kent'
Below: Mini Conference pears in two sizes both at 90p a pack
Below: left. ALDI 'Natures Pick Royal Gala' and right. Rubens apples - all grown in North Kent
SAINSBURYS
Good selection on Sainsburys apple and pear display
Below: left. Sainsburys Gala grown in East Kent and right. Sainsburys FUJI grown in West Kent
Below: left. British Gala on display and right. Rubens grown in North Kent
Below: Last are 'my favourite' Ripe & Ready' Conference pears
The English Apple Man Comments: "although the expected varieties; Cox, Gala, etc. are still to be found and one or two 'heritage' examples like Egremont Russet and Rubens are on sale, the emergence of Scarlett Paradise, Zingy R and Kissabel brings a new dimension to the early part of our season.
That is all for this week, next week I will look at the 'history of some newer varieties e.g. Scarlett Paradise, Kissabel, Zingy R et.al in depth
Take care
The English Apple Man