Cornish Aromatic

Origin and History

Cornish Aromatic was first listed as a variety in 1813, when Sir Christopher Hawkins sent fruit to the London Horticultural Society, but it is known to be much older. It is a reinette type, prized both as a late dessert apple and in cider-making. It is one of comparatively few apples to originate from the far south-west and an unusual variety to find in the Stamford area.

Fruit

The fruit is medium-sized and conical to oblong, with five crowns and distinctive ribbing. The skin has a bright crimson flush (more pronounced some years than others) and indistinct, darker crimson stripes over a yellow or greeny-yellow ground. The lenticels are white and conspicuous, and there are russet streaks and spots. The skin appears shiny over the crimson flush and feels dry to the touch. The flesh is firm and white, not particularly juicy and with a sweetly aromatic, spicy flavour and tang of pineapple, although the aromatic characteristics can vary from tree to tree and from season to season.

Picking, Storing and Using

The fruit stores well and is at its best between December and January. In a good year it is excellent, in a less good year it can be unexceptional.

Growth, Flowering and Pollination

The tree is vigorous, upright and spreading and usually crops well. It tolerates a damper climate than many varieties and is resistant to canker and scab. Good pollinators include James Grieve, Annie Elizabeth and Barnack Beauty.

Cornish Aromatic is described on the Orange Pippin website as 'Looking and feeling like an expensive but worn old tapestry.'