Handsome Norman
Apple
HANDSOME NORMAN
Synonyms: La Belle Normande, Bell Norman
Origin and History
An introduced Norman apple variety, identified by its large size, distinctive shape, and striking color. Remarkably, despite its prominence and the traditions supporting its Norman origin, it does not appear in the French pomological "Report." At the time of this 1885 account, it was one of the most favored varieties in Herefordshire and heavily planted throughout the county.
Tree
Grows freely and carries an abundance of fine fruit.
Fruit
Size and Form:
Conical, snouted towards the apex. Very uneven and irregular in outline, being markedly angular with one especially prominent rib, making the fruit distinctly one-sided. Base rounded and prominently swollen, with the stalk seated on an elevation of the surface.
Skin:
Bright red on the side exposed to the sun, gradually fading towards the shaded side where it is a fine deep rich yellow. The whole surface is strewed with large russety specks. The base surrounding the stalk has a patch of grey russet covering it.
Stalk:
Short, sometimes half an inch long, inserted in a small narrow cavity.
Calyx (Eye):
Closed, with erect pointed segments, set in a deep, irregular, ribbed basin.
Tube:
Long conical; stamens marginal.
Flesh:
Yellowish, spongy, and sweetish.
Core:
Cell walls elliptical; cells open.
Flavor and Juice
The juice is of a rich red color with a fine bitter flavor, rich and full, resembling that of the Cherry Norman. Makes a rich and pleasant cider.
Chemical Analysis (1878 season):
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Density of fresh juice | 1.051 |
| Density after 24 hours | 1.052 |
| Sugar (per 100 parts by weight) | 11.905 |
| Tannin, Mucilage, Salts, etc. | 4.038 |
| Water | 84.057 |
Analysis performed by Mr. G. H. With, F.R.A.S.
Uses
Cider production.
Book Sources
Described in 1 period pomological work
View original book sources (1)
— Woolhope Naturalists Field Club, The Herefordshire Pomona (1885)
- HANDSOME NORMAN. [Syn : La Belle Normande ; Bell Norman.]
The common names given to this Apple support the traditions that it is really an introduced Norman Apple, and yet it is not to be found in the French "Report." This is the more remarkable since its size, shape, and colour, make it very observable in the orchard, and a very distinct variety.
Description.—Fruit, conical, snouted towards the apex, very uneven and irregular in its outline, being angular, and having especially one very prominent rib, which makes the fruit one-sided ; the base is rounded, and prominently swollen, so that the stalk is placed on an elevation of the surface. Skin, bright red on the side exposed to the sun, gradually fading towards the shaded side, where it is of a fine deep rich yellow ; the whole surface is strewed with large russety specks, and the base surrounding the stalk has a patch of grey russet all over it. Eye, closed, with erect pointed segments, set in a deep, irregular, ribbed basin. Tube, long conical ; stamens, marginal. Stalk, short, sometimes half an inch long, inserted in a small narrow cavity. Flesh, yellowish, spongy, and sweetish. Cells of the core, open ; cell-walls, elliptical.
This tree grows freely, and carries an abundance of fine fruit. It is one of the most favoured varieties at the present time, and is very much planted through the county. The juice is of a rich red colour, with a fine bitter flavour, rich and full, like that of the Cherry Norman. It makes a rich and pleasant cider.
The chemical analysis of the juice given by Mr. G. H. With, F.R.A.S., gives the following results for the season of 1878 :—
Density of fresh juice ... ... ... ... 1.051 Density after 24 hours ... ... ... ... 1.052 In 100 parts by weight of juice :— Sugar ... ... ... ... 11.905 Tannin, Mucilage, Salts, &c., ... ... 4.038 Water ... ... ... ... 84.057