48. Worcester Pearmain - Dessert Apple
Season : Early - Flowers May, Harvest early Sept.
Pollination : Self fertile - Group C
Rootstock : Ours is grown on an M26 rootstock, for a slightly smaller tree than the usual MM106. Worcester Pearmain is a little less vigorous than some of the other varieties.
Malus domestica 'Worcester Pearmain'
Sweet, juicy and easy to bite into, sometimes with the bonus of a strawberry flavour
Originates from: Worcester, England, United Kingdom
Introduced: 1870s
Developed by: Mr Hale of Swanpool
According to the Victorian writer Hogg, Worcester Pearmain is a seedling of Devonshire Quarrenden.
Often used in breeding programmes to develop other early varieties.
A popular, classic early-season English apple.
The medium-sized apples are very attractive, having a base green-yellow background which is largely coloured red, especially on the side facing the sun.
The shape is roughly round but this variety is well known for producing slightly lopsided fruits.
Worcester Pearmain has become renowned for a slight strawberry background flavour but this is not present every year. Because of this, the flavour is sometimes considered only average. However, even without that hint of strawberry it is still a very good tasting apple - crisp and easy to eat with lots sweetness and juice.
It is used primarily as an eater straight from the tree but also cooks to a good puree texture.
Like most early-season varieties, Worcester Pearmain does not keep. It is at its best when eaten straight from the tree, but you can store the apples in a fridge for up to a week.