Herefordshire Spice Apple
Apple
HEREFORDSHIRE SPICE APPLE
Origin and History
Multiple apple varieties have been known by the name "Spice Apple" in pomological literature. This variety is designated the Herefordshire Spice Apple to distinguish it from others bearing that name. Forsyth described a different Spice Apple reportedly obtained from Mr. Jones of Fawley, Herefordshire, which he recorded as yellow in color, "a handsome middle-sized angular-shaped apple," ripening in January and keeping until March—differing from the variety documented here.
Fruit
Size and Form: Below medium size; conical or ovate; uneven in outline with sides ribbed in the manner of the Margil, and with ridges around the eye.
Skin: Smooth and shining, as if varnished. Almost entirely covered with deep bright crimson, streaked and mottled with darker crimson on the side next the sun. Where shaded, yellowish and mottled with crimson.
Eye: Small and closed, with erect pointed segments set in a deep and plaited basin. The tube is funnel-shaped with stamens inserted in the middle of the tube. The styles form a concrete fleshy mass which fills nearly half of the tube.
Stalk: Very short, thick, and fleshy, set in a very shallow cavity.
Flesh and Flavor: Tender, crisp, fine-grained, sweet, with a pleasant sub-acid flavor.
Core: Cells of the core open and symmetrical.
Season
In use during October and November.
Uses and Distribution
Grown abundantly in Herefordshire, where it is fully appreciated.
Tree
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 1 period pomological work
View original book sources (1)
— Woolhope Naturalists Field Club, The Herefordshire Pomona (1885)
- HEREFORDSHIRE SPICE APPLE.
There are several varieties of apples known by the name of Spice Apple, and this differs from all of that name which have been described in pomological works. We have therefore for the sake of distinction called it the Herefordshire Spice Apple. Forsyth describes one which in a MS. list in our possession he says he had from Mr. Jones of Fawley, Herefordshire; but he describes it as being of a yellow colour only. It is possible that it might have been a pale specimen for he says it is "a handsome middle-sized angular-shaped apple," ripe in January and keeps till March.
Description.—Fruit; below medium size, conical or ovate, uneven in its outline, being ribbed on the sides somewhat in the way of the Margil, and with ridges around the eye. Skin; smooth and shining, as if varnished; almost entirely covered with deep bright crimson, which is streaked and mottled with darker crimson, on the side next the sun; but where it is shaded, it is yellowish and only mottled with crimson. Eye; small and closed, with erect pointed segments set in a deep and plaited basin; the tube is funnel shaped, and the stamens are inserted in the middle of the tube; the styles form a concrete fleshy mass, which fills nearly the half of the tube. Stalk; very short, thick, and fleshy, set in a very shallow cavity. Flesh; tender, crisp, fine grained, sweet and with a pleasant sub-acid flavour. Cells of the core open and symmetrical.
An excellent apple, in use during October and November. It is grown abundantly in Herefordshire, and is fully appreciated.