Thursday 26th September 2019

I had to look them up.

Who'd have thought there was so much mirth and merriment in apple varieties? I had half an hour or so to spare today so on the way home went for a brisk 30 minute walk through the Tyntesfield Orchard. This newly created heritage orchard is growing well, stuffed full of unusual apple varieties. All labelled for the casual visitor to peruse... two caught my eye as I walked about. 

Slack-ma-Girdle is apparently a late season (ready in November but will hang on the trees until January) sweet cider apple. Origin is lost in history but commonly found in old Devon, south Somerset or Dorset orchards. It has much in common with Northwood and Woodbine apples (whatever they are) but all produce a full-bodied rich cider with aroma described as woody. Yum, can't wait. But why it's name? - well allegedly Slack-ma-Girdle's unusual name is thought to reflect it effect on the digestive system when drink as a cider. Sounds most evacuant!

Sheep's nose however is much more tame a variety. It's origin is in the middle of the last century and name derived from its unusual shape – strongly ribbed with a prominent ‘crown’ like a sheep’s nose. The fruit then are large with a strong pinkish-red mottled flush and more importantly for me – good for pies because not over juicy. A boon for the winter months I'd say. A word of caution, this variety is not to be confused with the Irish heritage dual-purpose and cider variety Sheep’s Snout. Knowing which will make me sleep easy tonight.

So all in all a great half hour trekking through the new orchard, with the promise of cider and apple pies in the years to come.