Andrew's tour of the South East An apple a day

Date Published:

31/10/2008

I headed to Brogdale Farm in Kent for a tour of a national treasure. The National Fruit Collection

Just off the M2 in Kent lies Brogdale Farm, home to the National Fruit Collection. On this 150-acre site, there are over 2000 types of apple and nearly 500 types of pear, as well as apricots, gooseberries, currants, vines, cherries and cobnuts. It's like a Noah's ark of fruit. The collection is owned by DEFRA, and the farm is now managed by the University of Reading. At one time it was sponsored by Tesco, though that relationship came to an end a few years ago. Its primary purpose is helping scientists and horticulturalists by acting as a gene bank. However, in recent years, it has also developed its public facing side with tours and events. Last week was 'apple week', and over 3000 visitors came for a grand day out.

Around the orchard

On the day I arrive, the air is cool and crisp and the sun yellow and low. There are a few visitors, but mainly it's just me and head guide, Ted Hobday, who's giving me a tour of the orchard. I've missed the height of the season by about a week or two, but there are still apples on some of the trees.

You can watch Ted and I exploring the collection below, Highlights included the Cox's Orange Pipin, and the Rosa du Perche. Lowlights included the bland Golden Delicious (did you know it was the state fruit of Virginia?). Still, the collection is there to preserve everything, not just things that taste nice. We also took in pears, quinces and medlars on our tour, the latter of which make great jams and pastes to serve with cheese or meat.

Back in the visitor's centre there's a selection of harvested apples and pears on display. The names are almost as varied and amazing as the fruit. France's climate lends itself better to pear production than the UK's, hence the strong French influenced names, Napoleon (a small mean looking pear), Green Beurre, and the oddly named J.I 552, which sounds more like the name of a star. On the apple table there's Laxton's Royalty, Martini, Chorister Boy, Fireside and the Bedford Red. But my favourite has to be the Webb's Kitchen Russett, which apparently has 'fine, softish flesh with a sweet, subacid flavour.' Nice.

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