Two-fifths of people find it hard to pick out British varieties of apples, a survey for the National Trust suggests.
The apple has enduring popularity, with more than half of the 2,000 adults polled eating the fruit each week, and this year has been a bumper harvest for orchards benefiting from the unusually hot spring. But the survey found that while almost two-thirds (61%) correctly identified the Cox Orange Pippin as a UK variety, less than a third (31%) knew Egremont Russet was British.
Of those polled, 61% mistakenly identified Granny Smiths as British, when it originates from Australia, and almost a quarter (23%) wrongly thought Pink Lady was a UK variety. Some 41% admitted they found it difficult to identify which were UK apples when buying fruit. The National Trust has launched a guide to encourage people to buy British-grown apples, to help preserve traditional varieties and orchards. The How To Eat An Apple guide includes a calendar to make the most of the British apple harvest, information on different flavours and new recipes.
Dame Fiona Reynolds, director general at the National Trust, said: “British apples are now being harvested and we’re spoilt for choice with local flavours. “Whether it’s the rich, sweet Cox or the nutty Egremont Russet, we urge everyone to choose and enjoy homegrown varieties throughout the day. “We need more people to choose British and help protect our orchards – 70% of apples bought in the UK are imported and this must change.”
