Tom Putt facts for kids

Quick facts for kids 'Tom Putt'
Species	Malus domestica
Origin	England, late 1700s.

The Tom Putt is a special kind of apple. It's known as a "dual purpose" apple. This means you can use it for two main things. It's often used to make cider, which is a popular drink. But you can also eat it or use it for cooking. This apple first came from a place called Devon in England. It had many other names too, like Ploughman or Coalbrook.

Where the Tom Putt Apple Came From

This apple is connected to a house called Combe House in Gittisham. People say the apple was named after a man named Thomas Putt. He was a landowner in the 1700s. Thomas Putt died in 1787. People sometimes called him "Black Tom."

Thomas Putt was a barrister, which is a type of lawyer. It's believed he made this apple variety even better. He even won awards for his fruit trees at farming shows in Honiton.

However, some older apple growers in Somerset told a different story. They said the apple was named after a different Thomas Putt. This was a rector, or church leader, named Rev. Thomas Putt. He lived in Trent and was a nephew of "Black Tom" Putt. It's possible that "Black Tom" first grew the apple. Then, he might have given a tree to his nephew.

What Makes Tom Putt Apples Special

The Tom Putt apple was very popular for many years. People grew it all over Devon and Somerset. You could find it in gardens and big orchards. Because of this, it was sometimes called the "Cottage Apple."

Today, the Tom Putt apple can look a bit different from tree to tree. But it's usually a medium-sized apple. It often has red streaks on its skin.

This apple starts growing fruit early in the season. It's a special type of apple called a triploid. This means it has three sets of chromosomes instead of the usual two. For cider, the Tom Putt is known as a "sharp" type. This means it has a strong, tangy taste.

Even though it's mostly used for cider, you can also cook with Tom Putt apples. They are good for baking pies or making sauces. Some people even enjoy eating them fresh. One expert, Harold Taylor, said it "looks attractive on the table as dessert." He also noted its unique sharp flavor. In Somerset, people used it for all three purposes: cider, cooking, and eating.