Autumn Pearmain

Why You Should Be Excited

Autumn Pearmain is a very, very old variety that originated in England and has the aromatic, nutty flavour that was common among apples of its day.

The Story of Autumn Pearmain

There are folks who believe apple varieties that came on the scene in the 1950s are old-time varieties. Depending on what you consider old, I suppose those are. Strangely, though, the older we get, the more likely we are to reserve the word ‘old’ for stuff (and people) from the really distant past, not just a few decades ago.

And then there are apples that really are old, like Autumn Pearmain. Planted as a seed in 1588, this variety has many of the characteristics you would expect of that era. It’s not super-juicy, it’s firm and fine-grained, but not seismically crunchy like some more modern varieties. And it delivers subtle, some would say ‘nutty’ aromas and flavours to please the connoisseur.

A classic truly-old English apple.

Autumn Pearmain Facts

Its origins

Planted as a seed somewhere in England, 1588.

Flavour, aroma, texture

Aromatic and subtle, nutty flavour in a firm, not-so-juicy apple.

Appearance

Medium-sized with lots of red over a green background.

When they’re available

Mid-late season (in our orchard, mid-September).

Quality for fresh eating

Good.

Quality for cooking

Mainly used for fresh eating.

Quality for cider

Not generally used in cidermaking.

Keeping ability

So-so (no more than 2 months when kept refrigerated).