Gloria Mundi

Why you should be excited

Gloria Mundi is a super-huge heritage cooking apple and a clear choice for lovers of… super huge apples.

The story of Gloria Mundi

What apple could possibly live up to a name that translates to ‘glory of the world’?

Perhaps one so large that its other early names included Ox Apple, American Mammoth and Monstrous Pippin.

Gloria Mundi – which may have originated in Germany or alternatively the United States – can be ridiculously big: in 1860, one weighed in at an amazing three and a half pounds. Now that’s a substantial apple.

Mainly used for cooking, where it turns into a sweet, dark gold puree, Gloria Mundi is perhaps not the best flavoured apple of all time, but it’s sweet and it sure can fill a pie. Not to mention impress folks who admire truly massive fruit.

Gloria Mundi Facts

Its origins

Discovered in Germany or the USA; first recorded in the USA in 1804.

Flavour, aroma, texture

Fairly dry and coarse-textured. When cooked, it is moderately tart, but mostly sweet, with some distinctive apple flavour.

Appearance

A huge apple, it's irregularly shaped, heavily ribbed and bright green in colour, often with some russeting.

When they’re available

Mid-season (usually in early October).

Quality for fresh eating

Mainly used for cooking.

Quality for cooking

Good.

Quality for cider

Some people consider it a useful cider apple, although it's really more of a cooker. It would add some useful acid to a cider blend.

Keeping ability

Very good (about 4 months when kept refrigerated).