Welsh apples facts for kids
The Cambrian Journal (Vol. 111, 1858) contains a list of names for about 200 Welsh apples, the majority of which were from the Monmouth area.
In 1999 a single apple tree was identified by Ian Sturrock on Bardsey Island (located at the end of the Llŷn Peninsula in North Wales). Its uniqueness and the rugged location was seized upon by the media and it was described as "The rarest tree in the world". This media coverage seems to have sparked a resurgence in Welsh apple varieties. The gnarled and twisted tree, growing by the side of Plas Bach, is believed to be the only survivor of an orchard that was tended by the monks who lived there a thousand years ago. In 1998, experts on the varieties of British apples at the National Fruit Collection in Brogdale stated that they believed this tree was the only example of a previously unrecorded cultivar, the Bardsey Apple (Welsh: Afal Enlli). The cultivar has since been propagated by grafting and is available commercially.
The National Botanic Garden of Wales at Llanarthney, Carmarthenshire is planting a Welsh Apple variety collection and hopes to publish a Welsh Pomona in the coming years, with over 50 varieties with Welsh or possible Welsh connections, but not including Foreman's Crew (1826 from Merthyr Tydfil) which remains lost.
Several dozen cultivars are available commercially. There is a Welsh Perry and Cider Society and several commercial orchards growing Welsh varieties, as well as school and community groups with small orchards.
Lost varieties
The list given in the 1858 Cambrian Journal includes the following varieties:
- Afal Basst
- Afal Gwdyr
- Afal Illtud
- Afal Madog
- Blas Y Cwrw
- Cydodyn
- Pippin Bach Llydan
- Pippin Dulas
- Rhobin
There is no further record of any of these cultivars in later documents.
In a two-year study, which involved finding, cataloguing and preserving new apple and pear varieties in Wales, researchers uncovered 73 previously unrecorded varieties of Welsh cider apples and perry pears: These are bringing the total number varieties native to the country to 101. The study has been jointly run by University of South Wales and the Welsh Perry & Cider Society.
List of current varieties
| Welsh name | English name | Origin | First Developed | Comment | Season & use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trwyn Mochyn | Anglesey pig snout | Anglesey | 1600s | Large green, tangy | Late cooker |
| Croen Mochyn | Pig Snout | Anglesey | 1850 | Brown/gold/red russeted skin, smoky tannic flavour | Mid-Eater |
| Cox Cymraeg | Welsh cox | Goetre Bach | unknown | Russeted red skin, cox like flavour | Mid-Eater |
| Pig Aderyn | Bird's beak | St. Dogmaels | Norman era | Juicy green and scarlet stripes with a cider-like tang | Early Eater and Cider |
| Afal Diamond | Diamond Apple | Dyffryn Ardudwy | 1825 | Reputedly from the shipwreck of The Diamond. Crimson flush with green. Sweet but with a vinous acidity. | Early eater |
| - | St. Cecilia | Bassaleg | 1900 | Shiny red and green, cox like flavour. Heavy cropper. RHS award of merit. | Late Eater |
| Afal Nant Gwrtheyrn | - | Llŷn peninsula | unknown | A small russet with a fennel like flavour | Mid Season Eater |
| Afal Enlli | Bardsey Island Apple | Bardsey Island | Discovered 1999 | Crunchy, sweet and juicy. Bright carmine red and yellow. Very disease resistant. | early eater |
| Pig y golomen | Pigeon's beak | Pembroke | Pre 1900 | Bright green round cooker | Mid season cooker |
| Gwell na mill | seek no further | Monmouth | 17th century | Nutty and aromatic. Medicinal. Keeps its shape when cooked. Makes a single variety cider. | Mid season triple purpose |
| Machen | Machen | Caerphilly | 19th century | Very large. Bright red. | Mid season cooker and eater |
| Marged Nicolas | - | Dinefwr | 19th century | Large yellow russet | Mid season eater and cider |
| Brith Mawr | - | Newport | Unknown | Striped yellow and red. Juicy. | Late triple purpose |
| - | Baker's delicious | South Wales | 1920 | Original Welsh name lost. Sweet and extremely juicy. | Early eater |
| Cadwaladr | - | Brecon | Unknown | Bright red. Bittersweet juice. | Mid cider |
| Gwŷr | Channel Beauty | Swansea | 1920 | Savoury taste. Crisp and juicy with a cox like aroma. | Early eater |
| Afal Siampen | Champagne apple | Bont-Newydd | Unknown | Bright red and juicy. Keeps until November. Origins of name unknown. | Early eater |
| - | Morgan Sweet | South Wales | 18th century | A large green/yellow September eating apple. Makes a famous sweet cider. Taken down the pits by coal miners | Early eater and cider |
| Llwyd Hanner Goch | Leather coat (?) | South Wales | 16th Century | A very late russet, complex flavour. | Late eater |
| - | Monmouth beauty, Tamplin or Cissy | Malpas, Newport | 1750 | Crimson flushed, rich scent and texture. | Mid season eater |
| - | Rhyl beauty or Kenneth | Rhyl | 1920 | A cox seedling | Late eater |
| Tin yr gwydd | Goose's arse | Dyfed | 19th century | Bright green, tangy but needs little added sugar. Named after its shape, not its flavour. | Early cooker |
| Perthyre | - | Monmouth | Pre 1910 | Mild bittersweet juice, cooked fruit have a pear-like flavour. | late cider and cooker |
