Fair Maid of Taunton
Cider apple
Malus domestica Borkh.
Thought to have originated in Taunton, Somerset. First recorded in 1831. Described by Hogg in 1884 as being a dessert apple, but not of first quality. Fruits have tender, juicy, chewy flesh with a sharp and slightly astringent flavour. The fruits are described as producing an agreeable but rather characterless cider. Trees are large, tall and spreading and rather susceptible to scab.
Availability
Material available from the National Fruit Collection.
Material held in Tidnor Wood National Collection® of Malus (Cider making)
Size
medium 2
Type
Cider 2
Shape
Broad globose conical 2
Height
52.50 mm 2
Width
63.00 mm 2
Ribbing
medium 2
Ground Colour
Whitish yellow 2
Over Colour
Brown 2
Russet
low 2
Flesh Colour
Yellowish 2
Accession name
Fair Maid of Taunton
Flowering time tree 1
24th April 10% flowering
27th April Full (80%) flowering
5th May 90% petal fall
Picking time tree 1
Mid October 1
Size tree 2
medium 1
Type tree 2
Cider 1
Shape tree 2
Flat globose 1
Height tree 2
43.51 mm 1
Width tree 2
54.57 mm 1
Ribbing tree 2
medium 1
Crown tree 2
weak-medium 1
Ground Colour tree 2
Green yellow 1
Over Colour tree 2
Pink 1
Over Colour (Pattern) tree 2
washed out 1
Russet tree 2
low 1
Greasiness tree 2
Medium 1
References:
1. NFC fruit (undated) Unpublished characterisation by staff at NFC, Brogdale.
2. Smith, M. (1971) National Apple Register