Le Bret

Why you should be excited

Le Bret is a 20th century English sweet cider apple that had a moment of prominence during the 1970s.

The story of Le Bret

Saying an apple variety had a moment of prominence is a bit like saying a supertanker decided to change direction: nothing can actually happen all that quickly. Even more than with a massive ship, an orchard takes time to shift.

So, when folks in the UK got excited about Le Bret – which was a new cider variety when it was discovered in the 1950s – it took until the 1970s for orchards to be extensively planted with it. And then it took time – as the excitement waned – for it to be replaced by the next new, hot variety.

This was further complicated by some labelling errors, which meant at times people could not tell which trees were Le Bret, which were Sweet Alford and which Sweet Coppin. We grow them all, so you can compare for yourself.

Le Bret Facts

Its origins

Discovered in Bristol, England, 1956.

Flavour, aroma, texture

A sweet and light-bodied juice for cidermaking.

Appearance

A large apple with a bright red flush over pale yellow.

When they’re available

Late-season (in our orchard, we expect early October).

Quality for fresh eating

Okay.

Quality for cooking

Mainly used for cider.

Quality for cider

Good.

Keeping ability

Limited (sweat for a few weeks before pressing).