Each season the NFS runs a competition for the best samples of Long Term Stored apples and pears
Below: Caroline Ashdown - General Manager at Allied Growers
The skill of the storage operator is what is being judged. Of course the quality of the stores is paramount and the nutritional balance of the fruit influential. Looking back over the year's when varieties like Cox were the leading UK varieties and the stores were less sophisticated, it was very challenging. Today modern varieties, like Gala, Braeburn and Jazz are more likely to be the subject of judgement.
In days past, when dessert apples were not stored beyond the early spring; (end of March) and stores were at best C/A (controlled atmosphere) the quality of the fruit - not just visually, but especially nutritionally could and indeed would cause surprises.
The samples removed from UK stores at the end of February are then assessed by a team of judges under the management of Caroline Ashdown (it's been her role for a number of years now)
Today with ultra modern stores DCA (Dynamic Controlled Atmosphere) when UK dessert apples are often stored around to the following June/July in perfect condition. and the science of storage disorders is much better understood, the Store Operator has a greater "knowledge Bank" at his disposal!
Below: left. Harvestwatch and right. Safepod system
GALA is now the number one apple by volume grown and sold in UK Supermarkets
BRAMLEY our long established Culinary apple is on sale for 52 weeks of the year
ANY OTHER VARIETY - collectively important UK apples, but in much lower volumes individually
JAZZ is the leading Club Variety grown in the UK and sold in our Supermarkets
PEARS are now almost exclusively Conference in the UK. Small volumes of Comice make it to market in UK Supermarkets
BRAEBURN is the second most popular dessert apple grown and marketed in UK Supermarkets
The standard of entries was very high with winning samples scoring from 96% (Bramley) to 99.75% (Jazz and Magic Star)
That is all for this week, but next week's Journal will reveal pictures of winners/trophies and entry samples.
Take care
The English Apple Man