A back-garden apple tree in Luton has officially been named the Clarendon Blush, marking the end of a process to identify the previously unknown variety discovered in 2023.
The name was chosen by 719 voters in a public poll, bbc.com reported.
The apple was found on Clarendon Road, providing the inspiration for the winning name. According to Luton Orchards, the community project responsible for the naming process, the title was officially approved by the Register of Local Cultivars.
The Clarendon Blush is a dual-purpose fruit, meaning it can be used for both cooking and eating. Konni Deppe, the founder of Luton Orchards, said that the flavor profile shifts as the fruit ripens, moving from a sharp taste to a "lovely" flavor, and finally becoming slightly wine-like when overripe.
"Everyone with a Bedfordshire apple collection can now grow the Clarendon Blush," Deppe told bbc.com. She added that the apple is particularly well-suited for making purée.
Last year, the National Institute of Agricultural Botany in Cambridge tested the apple, comparing it against thousands of other European and UK varieties to determine its origins. The analysis suggested that the tree, estimated to be between 70 and 90 years old, is likely a cross-breed of two 19th-century varieties: the Newton Wonder and the James Grieve.
Newton Wonder originated from a tree found in the thatched roof of a pub in King Newton, Derbyshire, around 1870. The James Grieve is a Scottish variety dating back to 1893.
The public poll saw the Clarendon Blush win by more than 300 votes, beating out five other proposed names. The alternative options included the Clarendon Wonder, High Town Beauty, Luton Wonder, and the Clarendon Seedling.
Despite the success of the identification process, the history of the tree itself remains a mystery. The current owner of the garden, who has requested to remain anonymous, stated they were "glad to be part of this wonderful discovery," but the identity of the original planter and their reasoning for choosing that specific site have not been determined.
What makes the Clarendon Blush different from other apples?
It is a dual-purpose apple with a flavor that evolves as it ripens, described by Deppe as transitioning from sharp to a wine-like quality when overripe. Its parentage has been traced to the 19th-century Newton Wonder and James Grieve varieties.
Where can people find this apple variety?
While the original tree is located in a private garden on Clarendon Road in Luton, the variety is now registered with the Register of Local Cultivars, making it available for inclusion in regional apple collections.
How was the name decided?
The community project Luton Orchards held a public poll that attracted 719 votes. The name Clarendon Blush won by a margin of more than 300 votes over the other five candidates, including the Clarendon Wonder and High Town Beauty.
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