Surely the apple is the noblest of fruits. ~ Henry David Thoreau
It’s probably fair to say that those of us in the Orchard County would agree with this statement! The humble Bramley Apples play an important role across the county and especially now with harvest in full swing.
Did you know that apples are celebrated with Apple Day, held on 21 October; an annual event launched in 1990 by Common Ground. Common Ground is a charitable organisation, based in Dorset and work in community conservation and environmental education.
The aim of Apple Day is simple; to celebrate and raise awareness of the provenance and traceability of apples and food as a whole. Also to demonstrate the variety of landscape, ecology and culture, not withstanding apples that we are in danger of losing due to various modern farming and other practices.
The Famous Bramley Apple
The Bramley Apple, for which Loughgall is famous, did not arrive in the area until 1884 when Mr Nicholson of Cranagill, a short distance from the village, bought sixty Bramley seedlings from Henry Merryweather and introduced them to County Armagh. At that time, this region was producing over 100 different varieties of apples, many with wonderful names such as Widow’s Whelps, Sugar Sweet, Foxes Whelps, Strawberry Cheeks, Gillyflowers, Irish Peach, Angel Bites, Beauty of Bath, Honey Comb, Ladyfingers, Bloody Butcher, Red Russets and Gillflowers.
The remarkable story of the first Bramley apple tree started by chance in 1809, when a young girl called Mary Ann Brailsford, from the village of Southwell in Nottinghamshire, planted some apple pips in a flowerpot. A seed germinated, the plant grew and it was replanted in the garden where it continued to thrive.
Some years later, Mary Ann’s cottage was bought by a local butcher, Matthew Bramley. He played little part in the development of the tree, but the reason it bears his name is that in 1856, a local nurseryman, Henry Merryweather, saw the tree’s potential. He asked Bramley’s permission to cultivate the tree from cuttings. Bramley agreed, on the condition that the apples be named after him.
By 1921, the Bramley apple had become the principal variety of apple grown in Armagh and today accounts for approximately 90 percent of the apples grown and processed.
This summer, a seedling from one of the original trees was grown and replanted at Crannagael House – like history repeating itself.
Apple-tastic tastes
This apple day why not appreciate and raise a glass to the fruit – try beautiful ciders and apple juices (non-alcoholic cider is available) and apple juices from the local producers such as Armagh Cider Company, Long Meadow Cider and MacIvors. The award-winning produce can now be picked up in many independent local stores, as well as the larger chains such as Lidl, Tesco and Sainsburys.
Try apple cider vinegar, reputed for various health benefits in dressings, marinades and sauces.
Perhaps the tastiest – apple crumble or apple tart – served warm, with lashings of cream or ice-cream is the most satisfying?
Whatever your choice, enjoy Apple Day and share your apple recipes with us! #VisitArmagh
