Cockle Pippin

Origin/History

Cockle Pippin is a variety from Sussex, England, raised by a person named Cockle, probably around 1800 (Bunyard). It appears as entry 23 in Ronalds and under the German name Hahnen Peppin. Bunyard notes it is distinct from Nutmeg Pippin, with which it is often confused; Nutmeg Pippin as a synonym for Cockle Pippin is explicitly identified as an error.

Tree

Downing describes the tree as healthy and hardy, with shoots moderately stout and chestnut-colored. Bunyard, by contrast, characterizes the shoots as long and willowy — a feature he considers very distinct — with upright, moderate growth and good fertility. The Central Experimental Farm at Agassiz, BC, which planted the variety in spring 1894, found it a strong grower and productive, which conflicts somewhat with Bunyard's characterization of moderate growth.

Leaves are long, rather pale, flat and undulating, with very markedly doubly-curved serrate margins (Bunyard).

Fruit

Size

Bunyard gives the dimensions as 2¼ inches by 2⅛ inches and characterizes the fruit as smallish. Downing and the Central Experimental Farm both describe it as medium-sized.

Form

All three sources agree the fruit is roundish conical. Downing notes it is slightly ribbed; Bunyard describes it as regular in outline.

Stem

Stout and fleshy, set in a shallow cavity (Bunyard).

Cavity

Shallow (Bunyard).

Calyx

Closed (Bunyard).

Basin

Shallow and ribbed (Bunyard).

Skin

Downing describes the skin as green with brown russet. Bunyard gives the ground color as greenish-yellow, covered with a thin cinnamon russet that increases in coverage toward the base. The Central Experimental Farm describes the skin as greenish with a brownish russet covering nearly the whole surface — in contrast to Bunyard's account of russet concentrated toward the base.

Flesh and Flavor

All sources agree the flesh is yellow (Bunyard and CEF) or yellowish (Downing), firm, and crisp. Both Downing and the Central Experimental Farm describe it as aromatic, with good quality. The Central Experimental Farm adds that it is juicy. Bunyard rates the flavor as only moderate in ordinary seasons, though he notes the variety is of excellent flavor in warm seasons.

Core and Seeds

Not described in any source.

Season

Bunyard gives the season as December to March. Downing states January to April. The Central Experimental Farm records January and February. These accounts are broadly consistent, placing Cockle Pippin as a mid-to-late winter keeper.

Uses

Dessert (Bunyard). Keeps well (Bunyard).

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in any source.

Other

Bunyard notes that Cockle Pippin keeps well and is of excellent flavor in warm seasons — implying the quality is variable with climate.