A Brief History Of Apples

A Brief History Of

APPLES

INDEX HISTORY Time Line Up To Mid Victorian Era........................ 1- 4 HISTORY Time Line From Victorian Era................................ 5 - 10 SWEET GOODNESS Apple Facts ............................................................... 11-14 EAT DRINK FEEL Apple Products ......................................................... 15-16

HISTORY APPLES IN THE WILD

Time Line up to Mid Victorian Era

Neolithic Period - New Stone Age ca. 9500BC It is believed that upon until the New Stone Age apples grew wild in the UK and there was no cultivation as such.

Some research shows that the apple tree was perhaps the earliest fruit tree to be cultivated.

APPLE ORCHARDS

After Roman Conquest 410AD After The Roman Occupation of Britain a lot of orchards were then abandoned, but it was the Roman who first introduced varieties of sweeter and greater taste.

After Norman Conquest 11th Century Improved varieties were introduced from France, which included the Costard. Orchards were developed within the grounds of monasteries and the raising of new varieties was undertaken by cross-pollination.

02

LAXTON SUPERB Time Line up to Mid Victorian Era

After Agricultural Revolution - End of 18th Century Thomas Andrew Knight undertook a series of careful experiments in pollination resulting in development of many improved varieties.

His work greatly influenced many nurserymen in the 19th century including Thomas Laxton who raised several well-known varieties including Laxton’s Superb.

COX AND BRAMLEY Early Victorian Time 1850 Ribston Pippin, a favourite apple of the early Victorians, was superseded by possibly the most famous of all eating apples, Cox’s Orange Pippin.

This outstanding variety was first introduced in 1850 having been raised

by Richard Cox. Throughout the Victorian age fruit growing tended to be carried out mainly in small orchards attached to agricultural holdings. Apart from the apples sold at market, they were grown to supplement the farmer’s own needs and to provide cider for his labourers in lieu of wages, a practice which became illegal in 1917.

The Bramley Seedling, a single Purpose culinary apple that remains the finest apple in the world for cooking was first exhibited in 1876, having been grown from a pip of unknown origin in 1809.

04

PRIORITY ON TASTE

Late 19th/Early 20th Century The developing of new varieties reached its height in the late 19th and early 20th centuries through the work of gardeners who were employed by major estates in England and also by nurserymen who concentrated on producing apples with outstanding taste.

Time Line From Mid Victorian Era

INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY

After World War 2, 1945 New root stocks were introduced which enabled the height of apple trees to be reduced.

Harvesting could now to take place from the ground which reduced the costs of labour for both picking and pruning.

The smaller trees allowed sunlight to reach a greater proportion of the developing fruit, which increased the density, and consistency of the fruit colour. It meant that trees could be planted closer together resulting in greater productivity.

06

COMPETITION STARTS

The UK joined the EEC, 1973 There were now no restrictions on import of apples from abroad during English season. This soon created competition for British apples with Golden Delicious, Red Delicious and Granny Smith being the biggest treat.

Much lower yielding varieties were grown in the UK which had been bred for taste rather than yield. As a result, they were unable to compete with the relatively low priced imports. Many English orchards were taken out of production due to lack of profitability.

Time Line From Mid Victorian Era

BRITISH FIGHTBACK

Early 1990’s Gala and Braeburn, both varieties which had been raised in New Zealand were introduced to the UK market and rapidly increased in popularity.

English growers began to produce these varieties with great success.

Subsequently, other new varieties were trialled and planted including for example Jazz, Kanzi, Rubens, Cameo and Zari. The introduction of the latest varieties coincided with greater demand from both consumers and retailers for locally grown apples. This increased the confidence of English growers who began to invest heavily in new, highly productive orchards and innovative equipment such as picking trains to improve efficiencies.

08

BRITISH GAIN

2003-2011 The length of the season had been increased with several varieties now being available in April and May whilst British apples have increased their share of the total market from a low point of 23% in 2003 to 38% in 2011.

Time Line From Mid Victorian Era

2014

IMPORTS WIN

Figures are showing that only 16% of apples which are sold in the major supermarkets are in fact from British orchards. Supermarkets share of the total market represents about 85%.

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SWEET GOODNESS Apple Facts

STAY HEALTHY

“An Apple A Day Keeps The Doctor Away” Health Editor, Helen Roberts, BBC News Online informs that some of our researchers claim that if every person over the age of 50 was to eat an apple a day, 8500 deaths from heart attacks and strokes could be avoided every year in the UK.

Nutritional Information Benefits gained from eating one medium apple with skin.

0.47g Protein 4.40g Dietary Fibre 95 Calories Minerals Potassium 195g Calcium 11g Phoshorus 20g Magnesium 9g Manganese 0.064g Iron 0.22g Sodium 2mg Copper 0.049mg Zinc 0.07mg

0.47G PROTEIN 4.40G DIETARY FIBRE 95 CALORIES Vitamins Vitamin A 98IU Vitamin B1 0.031mg Vitamin B2 0.047mg Niacin 0.166mg Folate 5mcg Pantothenic Acid 0.111mg Vitamin B6 0.075g Vitamin C 8.4mg Vitamin E 0.33mg Vitamin K 4mcg

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OH...

TEMPTATION

Younger People Eat Less Apples.

Apple consumption amongst the young is in decline.

While the over-75s eat on average 195g of apple a week, the under 30s consume only 100g. The approximate weight of an average apple is 150g.

Research documented in July 2013 shows that the sales of apples have decreased by 6.3% over a year.

Apple Facts

THINK FIVE A DAY

One Of Our Five A Day One large apple is roughly the equivalent to one of the following.

Two smaller fruits such as plums, kiwis, satsumas, clementines, etc.

One cup of small fruits like grapes, strawberries, raspberries, cherries.

Two large tablespoons of fruit salad, stewed or canned fruit.

One tablespoon of dried fruit.

One glass of fresh fruit juice 150 ml.

2 tablespoons of any vegetable One dessert bowl of salad.

Three heaped tablespoons of beans, pulses or lentils.

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EAT DRINK FEEL

FOOD AND DRINK

A versatile Fruit Apples are often used in cooking, baking and drink produce and are one of the best fruits to store The length of time that apples can be stored varies according to variety.

As a rule of thumb, apples that ripen later in the year will store for longer than the early varieties.

Bruised fruit should not be stored as they will rot.

Apples are best kept in a cool and frost-free environment, where they can last for weeks, even months in winter, such as a garage or garden shed.

Each apple should be cleaned with a cloth, wrapped loosely in newspaper and placed on a seed tray or shelf.

They should be periodically checked over winter and any showing signs of rotting should be removed.

Apple Products

HAIR AND BODY

Four Reasons To Use Apple Cider Vinegar Every Day. There are hair and body products available to buy containing extracts from apples, however there is a more affordable way of benefiting from the goodness of apples through the use of apple cider vinegar.

Here are four good reasons to try it.

1. It can make hair shine.

Apple cider vinegar can be used as a rinse after shampooing to boost hair’s body and shine. Use 1/2 a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to one cup of cold water. Pour the solution through your hair after shampooing several times a week for dramatic results.

2. It can regulate the pH of skin.

Dilute with two parts water and spread the concoction over face with a cotton ball to replace current toner. A dab of apple cider vinegar can also be left on the skin overnight to fade age spots or acne scars.

3. It can remove stains from teeth.

Rub teeth directly with apple cider vinegar, and rinse with water.

4. It can soothe sunburnt skin.

Add one cup of apple cider vinegar to bath water, soak for 10 minutes to eliminate any discomfort from sunburn.

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Jane Hansesgaard | Leeds College of Art | Graphic Design Level 5 | 2014