Apple Day - Calke Abbey
Apples are very much a fruit we take for granted. We’re so used to being able to buy them all year round and this can leave our humble British varieties of apple, of which there is over 2000, feeling undervalued.
Over the last few weeks there has been many events throughout the UK celebrating the wonderful fruit that is the British apple. From the everyday eating apple to apples more suited to culinary uses all types have been celebrated along with the odd quince thrown in for good measure. It just so happens that this year has also been a fabulous year for apples thanks to the sharp cold winter we had this year that helped kill off many of the pests that blight the apple tree.
Yesterday in National Trust’s Calke Abbey held an Apple Day within the gardens while bathed in some glorious Ocober sunshine. Along with being able to taste various varieties of apples there were apples to buy, children’s activities and apple juice that was being made there and then. Freshly squeezed apple juice is unlike anything that has bee bottled. Watching all this happen has made Hubs even more determined to make cider this year as we have so many apples in friend’s gardens that need using up.
Calke Abbey have quite a few events coming up in the next few months and even if you don’t go to an event the kitchen gardens are always worth a visit.
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Jules
The Food Programme on R4 yesterday was all about Englands northern apples - you might want to listen again if you have a chance.
Good luck with the cider, lot of fun. We did a couple of gallons last year from what we had on the trees. The only additive was the yeast and that was it. I should have used a demijohn with a water lock as the container lid blew off. For the lfe of me, can’t remember where the bag from inside the fruit press went.
This year am going to source some apples from elsewhere and have a another go…
I’m so envious. I also listened to the Food Programme podcast this morning and dreamt about biting into apples not long from the tree rather than shipped across the sea. The apple brandy from Amplethorpe sounded rather good too. I digress…!
Oooo what a lovely day! We missed the apple day at our local NT place :(
I saw this apple event being promoted but sadly couldn’t get to go :( Great post - I think often the apple is a really underestimated fruit in the kitchen - you can do so much with it. Thanks for posting :)