A small tree I got cheap from QD or Asda or somewhere similar about three years ago had it's first apples this year.
It was labelled as a Bramley but they definitely aren't.
Instead of large green Bramley cooking apples I had just four very delicious and very dark red mystery eating apples. I had a look through my big book of apples but there are too many listed and no photos so couldn't find a name there but they do look like ones called Spartan in the Ken Muir fruit growing guide.
All eaten now.
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My initial thought was Spartan. What a shame you don't have a Bramley. You will have to wait until they do the special offer ones at supermarkets in the spring and hope to strike lucky next time. I have one which is meant to be Discovery but has very small very anaemic looking apples which I have left for the birds. Ah well, it helps pollinate the other trees. I had a very good crop from several trees this year and my first pears (four).
ReplyDeleteIn reality my garden isn't big enough -
DeleteThey do look like Spartans. But Bramley's would be lovely i agree
ReplyDeleteI don't know what variety they are, but they are a gorgeous colour.
ReplyDeleteHaha ... definitely mislabelled!! But they do look like tasty apples, so all is not lost.
ReplyDeleteThey do look delicious. Catriona
ReplyDeleteDisappointing, though they do look beautiful.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely not Bramley apples, but they look lovely. At least it is producing fruit! You'll have to let us know how they taste.
ReplyDeleteThey were delicious
DeleteGlad to hear!
DeleteI suppose you could always buy some Spartan apples and compare the taste?
ReplyDeleteNot sure I've ever seen them for sale but I'll look out for them now
DeleteStill look yummy. Glad you enjoyed them.
ReplyDeleteSomeone definitely got that label wrong. I hope you can make room for a Bramely. The red apples do look tasty.
ReplyDeleteSuch a dark red - almost don't look real 😀 Good that they are tasty.
ReplyDeleteAlison in Devon x
My granddad was famous for squeezing in just one more little apple tree into his tiny urban garden until branches over hung neighbors and alleys and the whole neighborhood ate apples. I always think of him when I worry that I dont have space for some longed for plant.
ReplyDeleteCeci
I love Ceci's comment! Those apples are beautiful. How wonderful that they tasted every bit as good as they looked!
ReplyDeleteThere was a great book called The Apple Stone by Nicholas Stuart Gray about a family with an orchard. The children had adventures depending on which apple they sampled. As a child, I think that was when I realized there were different types of apples!
ReplyDeleteThey do look a bit like spartan. They are a wonderful eating apple.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Several of the National Trust places around here have Apple days where different kinds of apples are displayed. There is usually an expert who will endeavour to identify apples for you. Are there any Apple days happening near you?
ReplyDeleteSorry about the Bramleys but these look like a very sweet and lovely surprise!
ReplyDeleteEmpire apples are also delicious. They are a cross of Macintosh and Red Delicious. The variety creates a crisp juicy apple with firm flesh.
ReplyDelete