The Valencia Late variety originates from Portugal and the Azores Islands. In 1865 the variety was imported by an English nurseryman, Thomas Rivers and given the name Excelsior. In the following decade he sold trees to a number of growers in the USA including a Mr E. H. Hart in Florida (who renamed the variety Harts Tardiff) and a Mr A. B. Chapman in California who renamed it Valencia “Late” at the suggestion of a Spanish visitor who pronounced it similar to a late-maturing variety in the region of Valencia.
Femminello lemons can be traced back to Roman times as evidenced by wall paintings and mosaics found in Pompeii and Herculaneum (Naples). Making up over 75% of Sicily’s lemon crop, Femminello lemons can be harvested throughout the year because each sub variety blossoms and matures during different seasons. Typically Femminello Comune lemons are medium sized, oval shaped and have a distinctive sourness.
The Conference pear is now the UK’s most widely grown pear, having first been cultivated in 1884 by Mr Thomas Rivers of Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire. It was first exhibited in the following year at the British International Pear Conference from which it took its name. The Comice pear originates from 1849 when it was cultivated in the Loire Valley in France. It derives its name from the French phrase, Doyenné du Comice, meaning, “top of the show,” as they are often celebrated as the best pear variety.
In Spain tomato growing represents the most traditional horticultural crop in the Ebro Valley’s irrigated land and is dominated by small traditional family farming businesses, providing much needed work for the elder generation. There are an estimated 3,500 tomato farmers in the Ebro Valley working over 5,100 hectares and harvesting mostly by hand.
The Pixley Noir variety was originally identified in 2003 by Herefordshire farmer Edward Thompson who took the next 10 years to then propagate, plant and crop it. It has incredible colour intensity, unusually low acidity and a gentler flavour than most other blackcurrant varieties.
The Stevens variety of cranberry was first developed in the USA by H.F. Bain in the 1940s. Its principle characteristic is its size, being a larger berry than most other North American varieties. Quebec’s cooler climate creates an environment that is less dependant on the use of pesticides while also providing a fruit that is slightly sharper in taste.
Rhubarb is one of the most prolific varieties grown in Northern England. It matures in February at the start of the season and is characterised by its thin tender stems.
The Magdalena River mango variety is indigenous to Colombia and has been cultivated over the centuries, originally by the ancient Pijao people of Colombian Andes mountains. Together with papaya and guava it was their staple fruit and remains among the most flavoursome of all mangos.
Russet variety (in our apple juice). The Egremont Russet had its origins in Sussex and was first cultivated on the Petworth House Estate of Lord Egremont in 1870. It has a distinctive “nutty” taste and a textured golden-brown skin that makes it unique among British apples. With its rich fruity taste it produces a creamy-sweet apple juice.
Jonagored Variety (in our apple juice). The Jonagored apple is a recent cultivar, originating from Belgium. It was developed by a local apple farmer, Jos Morren, who in 1980 noticed that the top branch of one of his Jonagold apple trees had started growing dark red apples. He decided to propagate the branch and a new award winning variety was born.
Worcester variety (in our rhubarb & apple pressé). The Worcester Pearmain variety is an early season sweet apple. It was first cultivated in 1873 in Worcester by a local apple grower, Mr Hale. It is distinctive by it’s bright red colour, white flesh and intense sweet, almost strawberry flavour.
Scrumptious variety (in our rhubard & apple pressé). The scrumptious apple variety is similar to the Worcester apple in appearance with its intense red skin. It is also an early-mid season harvester with a white flesh and hint of strawberry taste. It was introduced Hugh Ermen in 1980 and is bred from the Golden Delicious and Discovery varieties.