Welsh apples

The Cambrian Journal (Vol. 111, 1858) contains a list of names for about 200 Welsh apples,[1] the majority of which were from the Monmouth area.

In 1999 a single apple tree was identified by Ian Sturrock on Bardsey Island (located at the end of the Llŷn Peninsula in North Wales). Its uniqueness and the rugged location was seized upon by the media and it was described as "The rarest tree in the world".[2] This media coverage seems to have sparked a resurgence in Welsh apple varieties. The gnarled and twisted tree, growing by the side of Plas Bach, is believed to be the only survivor of an orchard that was tended by the monks who lived there a thousand years ago.[3][4][5] In 1998, experts on the varieties of British apples at the National Fruit Collection in Brogdale stated that they believed this tree was the only example of a previously unrecorded cultivar, the Bardsey Apple (Welsh: Afal Enlli). The cultivar has since been propagated by grafting and is available commercially.[6]

The National Botanic Garden of Wales at Llanarthney, Carmarthenshire is planting a Welsh Apple variety collection and hopes to publish a Welsh Pomona in the coming years, with over 50 varieties with Welsh or possible Welsh connections,[7] but not including Foreman's Crew (1826 from Merthyr Tydfil)[8] which remains lost.

Several dozen cultivars are available commercially. There is a Welsh Perry and Cider Society[9] and several commercial orchards growing Welsh varieties, as well as school and community groups with small orchards.

Lost varieties

The list given in the 1858 Cambrian Journal includes the following varieties:

  • Afal Basst
  • Afal Gwdyr
  • Afal Illtud
  • Afal Madog
  • Blas Y Cwrw
  • Cydodyn
  • Pippin Bach Llydan
  • Pippin Dulas
  • Rhobin

There is no further record of any of these cultivars in later documents.

In a two-year study, which involved finding, cataloguing and preserving new apple and pear varieties in Wales, researchers uncovered 73 previously unrecorded varieties of Welsh cider apples and perry pears: These are bringing the total number varieties native to the country to 101. The study has been jointly run by University of South Wales and the Welsh Perry & Cider Society.[10]

List of current varieties
Welsh name English name Origin First Developed Comment Season & use
Trwyn Mochyn Anglesey pig snout Anglesey 1600s Large green, tangy Late cooker
Croen Mochyn Pig Snout Anglesey 1850 Brown/gold/red russeted skin, smoky tannic flavour Mid-Eater
Cox Cymraeg Welsh cox Goetre Bach unknown Russeted red skin, cox like flavour Mid-Eater
Pig Aderyn Bird's beak St. Dogmaels Norman era Juicy green and scarlet stripes with a cider-like tang Early Eater and Cider
Afal Diamond Diamond Apple Dyffryn Ardudwy 1825 Reputedly from the shipwreck of The Diamond. Crimson flush with green. Sweet but with a vinous acidity. Early eater
- St. Cecilia Bassaleg 1900 Shiny red and green, cox like flavour. Heavy cropper. RHS award of merit. Late Eater
Afal Nant Gwrtheyrn - Llŷn peninsula unknown A small russet with a fennel like flavour Mid Season Eater
Afal Enlli Bardsey Island Apple[11] Bardsey Island Discovered 1999 Crunchy, sweet and juicy. Bright carmine red and yellow. Very disease resistant. early eater
Pig y golomen Pigeon's beak Pembroke Pre 1900 Bright green round cooker Mid season cooker
Gwell na mill seek no further Monmouth 17th century Nutty and aromatic. Medicinal. Keeps its shape when cooked. Makes a single variety cider. Mid season triple purpose
Machen Machen Caerphilly 19th century Very large. Bright red. Mid season cooker and eater
Marged Nicolas - Dinefwr 19th century Large yellow russet Mid season eater and cider
Brith Mawr - Newport Unknown Striped yellow and red. Juicy. Late triple purpose
- Baker's delicious South Wales 1920 Original Welsh name lost. Sweet and extremely juicy. Early eater
Cadwaladr - Brecon Unknown Bright red. Bittersweet juice. Mid cider
Gwŷr Channel Beauty Swansea 1920 Savoury taste. Crisp and juicy with a cox like aroma. Early eater
Afal Siampen Champagne apple Bont-Newydd Unknown Bright red and juicy. Keeps until November. Origins of name unknown. Early eater
- Morgan Sweet South Wales 18th century A large green/yellow September eating apple. Makes a famous sweet cider. Taken down the pits by coal miners Early eater and cider
Llwyd Hanner Goch Leather coat (?) South Wales 16th Century A very late russet, complex flavour. Late eater
- Monmouth beauty, Tamplin or Cissy Malpas, Newport 1750 Crimson flushed, rich scent and texture. Mid season eater
- Rhyl beauty or Kenneth Rhyl 1920 A cox seedling Late eater
Tin yr gwydd Goose's arse Dyfed 19th century Bright green, tangy but needs little added sugar. Named after its shape, not its flavour. Early cooker
Perthyre - Monmouth Pre 1910 Mild bittersweet juice, cooked fruit have a pear-like flavour. late cider and cooker

References
  1. "Welsh Names of Apples", The Cambrian Journal, Volume 111, 1858, p.145
  2. The Guardian Weekend, 6 October 2007, p.88
  3. Smith, Malcolm (22 March 2003). "The Sainted Apple". The Times. p. 12. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  4. Tunstall, Jill (6 October 2007). "The man who rescues trees". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  5. "Afan Ynys Enlli - Bardsey Island Apple". Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  6. "Bardsey Island Apple". Ian Sturrock & Sons.
  7. "National Apple Register of the United Kingdom" Muriel Smith, Langford Press, Scotland 1971
  8. Hogg, Robert (1884). The Fruit Manual: a guide to the fruits and fruit trees of Great Britain. London: Journal of Horticulture Office.
  9. "Welsh Perry and Cider Society - Home". Welshcider.co.uk. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  10. Researchers uncover 73 ‘new’ Welsh apple and pear varieties, retrieved 19 January 2019
  11. "Bardsey Island Apple Introduction". Bardseyapple.co.uk. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
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