Discovery (apple) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 'Discovery' |
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| Species | Malus domestica |
| Hybrid parentage | Possibly 'Worcester Pearmain' × 'Beauty of Bath' |
| Cultivar | 'Discovery' |
| Breeder | George Dummer |
| Origin |  England, c. 1950 |
The Discovery apple is a popular type of apple that ripens early in the season. It's known as a 'dessert apple' because it's usually eaten fresh. This apple was created from another apple called 'Worcester Pearmain'. Experts think its other parent might have been the 'Beauty of Bath' apple.
The Story of the 'Discovery' Apple
The 'Discovery' apple was first sold to the public by a plant expert named Jack Matthews. This happened in 1962.
The story of the 'Discovery' apple began around 1949. A fruit farm worker named George Dummer lived in Langham, England. He grew several apple seedlings from a 'Worcester Pearmain' apple tree.
George picked the best young apple tree to plant in his garden. However, due to a family accident, the young tree was left outside for months. It was only wrapped in a sack, exposed to the cold. Amazingly, the tree survived!
Later, Jack Matthews noticed this special tree. He took cuttings from it to grow more trees. At first, he called the new apple 'Dummer's Pippin' or 'Thurston August'. But when he officially released it in 1962, he named it 'Discovery'. By the 1980s, the 'Discovery' apple was the most important early apple in the United Kingdom.
What Makes 'Discovery' Apples Special?
'Discovery' apples look a lot like their parent, 'Worcester Pearmain'. They are small to medium in size. They often have small yellow spots and are mostly bright red. Sometimes, the red color covers the whole apple.
The inside of the apple, called the flesh, can sometimes be pinkish. Even the juice can be pink!
The 'Discovery' apple tree flowers in the middle of the growing season. Like the 'Beauty of Bath' apple, its fruits ripen quickly, usually by August. Unlike many other early apples, 'Discovery' apples stay on the tree long enough to get perfectly ripe.
While these apples are known for ripening early, the very best ones can be picked later in the year. From late August to October, the apples turn a deep pinkish-red. Their flesh also becomes pinker. They have a great taste and are good for eating fresh or for cooking.
When they are fresh and grown well, 'Discovery' apples taste sweet and a little bit tart. They also have a slight strawberry flavor. These apples usually stay fresh for a good amount of time after being picked.
See also
In Spanish: Discovery (manzana) para niños
