3 ms·

I feel that the choice is also limited in Britain, perhaps even more so than in Spain. Independent greengrocers might have some more unusual varieties than supe

I feel that the choice is also limited in Britain, perhaps even more so than in Spain. Independent greengrocers might have some more unusual varieties than supermarkets, but I have never seen Honeycrisp anywhere. Seems there could be a killing to be made in importing them here, providing of course that they are the 'marvel' and not the 'mediocre' ones! If Honeycrisp are supposed to grow properly only in climates like Minnesota's, then it doesn't seem likely that they will ever actually be grown in Britain (or Spain for that matter).

Nursie 2y ago
Britain grows over two thousand varieties of apple, some going back several hundred years. The issue is the supermarkets only carry a few types. It would seem a shame to import a commercial variant from the US.
- seabass-labrax 2y ago
  True - my parents wax lyrical about a cultivar called Howgate Wonder, which they used to buy from a local orchard long before I was born. I have never seen them for sale myself and consequently haven't had the opportunity to taste them. The orchard still exists, reportedly...
  - Nursie 2y ago
    I have departed British shores as of a few years back now, but I understand that a lot of the varieties really only exist in various national collections these days rather than having much commercial growth. There are significant growers of less usual cider apples, not that they'd be great for eating. So how you actually get your hands on them ... ? There do seem to be online shops that'll sell you a tree from many different strains though. As with many things, the supermarket optimises for storage, shipping, uniformity etc, and in the end we all miss out on variety. It's even worse for that here in Australia - there are precisely three types of potato - red, white and purple skinned, and they're all much the same and pretty bland. There's a fourth 'gourmet' type (kipfler) allowed at really fancy stores.

Nursie 2y ago

Britain grows over two thousand varieties of apple, some going back several hundred years. The issue is the supermarkets only carry a few types. It would seem a shame to import a commercial variant from the US.

seabass-labrax 2y ago
True - my parents wax lyrical about a cultivar called Howgate Wonder, which they used to buy from a local orchard long before I was born. I have never seen them for sale myself and consequently haven't had the opportunity to taste them. The orchard still exists, reportedly...
- Nursie 2y ago
  I have departed British shores as of a few years back now, but I understand that a lot of the varieties really only exist in various national collections these days rather than having much commercial growth. There are significant growers of less usual cider apples, not that they'd be great for eating. So how you actually get your hands on them ... ? There do seem to be online shops that'll sell you a tree from many different strains though. As with many things, the supermarket optimises for storage, shipping, uniformity etc, and in the end we all miss out on variety. It's even worse for that here in Australia - there are precisely three types of potato - red, white and purple skinned, and they're all much the same and pretty bland. There's a fourth 'gourmet' type (kipfler) allowed at really fancy stores.