Journal for 7th October 2011
PHEW! How an 'Indian Summer' changes the perception of Autumn, last weekend's record temperatures rapidly erased the 'summer's finished' headlines of just a few weeks ago. However we are now back to normal!Last Saturday; 1st October, was our monthly village market with the sunshine bringing more stallholders and customers than usual.
It was an opportune moment for harvesting the Bramley Tree donated by The English Apple Man to the Robertsbridge Village Community Centre. This year we managed to grow ten apples, at least there were ten before I went on holiday. Alas on Saturday I could find only one left; possibly some lost to natural causes (rots) but I guess one or two may have succumbed to a 'community' picker.
Calling in at Broadwater Farm on Wednesday, second pick Gala was arriving from the orchards at regular intervals. Of particular interest to me was the Jazz orchard, hit by the spring frosts for the second year running.
In the pictures below; the worst hit trees have a very poor crop and although the trees on the fringe of the frosted area appear to be carrying a good crop, most of the fruit is in fact carrying frost licks, making the apples only suitable for juicing.
When we see an abundance of apples on trees in orchards as we drive by, or the bountiful supply of near perfect fruit on Supermarket shelves; spare a thought for the growers who have fallen foul of JACK FROST!
But, just half a mile away, this ten acre Braeburn orchard is carrying a massive crop of high quality fruit. The crop is so heavy that some trees have broken their stakes with the weight. This is why most newly planted orchards are utilising the heavier post and wire support system common on the continent where the modern heavy yielding varieties like Braeburn carry yields 3 times as heavy as our traditional Cox.
A favourite time of year!
October in my opinion is a special month. 'Especially' if the weather is good; the air is so clean, the view across the countryside is crystal clear, everything sparkles like diamonds. I guess my impression is enhanced by the fact that the very busy September is behind us and our apples and pears are safely tucked away in store, a time to relax a bit and enjoy the best of any pleasant weather between now and the often 'gloomy' November.
With English Apples & Pears now available in every outlet, including true 'gate sales' where gardens produce more than can be consumed at home and householders offer their surplus fruit at bargain prices, tasty apples & pears are accessible to us all. This is very poignant in the light of providing our schoolchildren with a balanced nutritional diet.
Parents are failing to put enough fruit and veg into their children's packed lunches, health experts have warned.
There has been considerable 'air time' this week on National News channels about the health of our children and the content of their lunch boxes!
The School Food Trust, which examined 3,500 packed lunches in England in 2009, says about 40% of lunchboxes do not contain any fruit or vegetables, compared with 10% of school dinners.
CLICK HERE! to read in more detail.
On Saturday at our 'market' a wide selection of locally grown apples was available on Vanessa De Quincey's stall. There can be nothing better than fruit straight from the farm, sold to you by the grower in person.In all Supermarkets English apples & pears are prominent, with some fantastic price/quality offers available.
The quality and value of offers represent fantastic value! "Sink your teeth into Gala, Cox, Early Windsor, Spartan, Egremont Russet, ........... ALL will delight you with their crisp, juicy texture and excellent flavour, a result of the rainfall and 'early & late' summer sunshine. Quite outstanding, when we consider the summer was, 'we are told' the coolest for 20 years!
Go and buy English Apple & Pears, the quality and eating experience is superb. ITS A NO BRAINER!.
Sainsburys
Great offers of £1 a bag for Cox, Gala, Spartan, Bramley Apples & Conference Pears. Loose Conference @ £1.66 kg and Comice @ £2 kg and Concorde @ £2.50 for a polybag with 5 large fruit. Meridian @ £1.50 for a 6 apple poly bag.
Morrisons
'half price poly bag offers of Cox, Gala, and Conference @ 95p a bag. Loose Egremont Russet @ £1.89 kg, Gala @ £1.85 kg, Spartan @ £1.90 kg, Bramley @ £1.57 kg and Rubens @ £2.52 kg ALL excellent value. Imported Pink Lady @ £3.09 kg underlines the value of English Apples on offer!
M&S
While the variety selection is less compared to the larger Supermarkets, the quality is superb. Cox over wraps x 4 apples @ £2.29 or 'on offer' for 2 for £3, Gala @ £1.99 x 4 or 'on offer' 2 for £3. Loose Cox can be purchased @ 2 for £1. Bramley @ £1.69 kg & Conference @£2.49 kg ALL compare well with imported Pink Lady on offer @ £2.99 for a 4 pack.
The English Apple Man has sampled many varieties, from many sources this week, none have disappointed me, many have excited my taste buds' but this week's 'BEST BUY' is Rubens; for its attractive appearance, very good texture and excellent flavour!
Next week, The English Apple Man will be supporting the Farming Futures event at Kent County Showground on Wednesday 12th October where students can see for themselves the potential of a career in the modern farming industry.
Take care
The English Apple Man
