Reverend W. Wilks

Why you should be excited

Reverend W. Wilks is what it appears to be: an English apple from an era when they sometimes named them after vicars.

The story of Reverend W. Wilks

We’re not suggesting that there’s anything wrong with naming an apple variety after an English vicar. Especially when he happened to be distinguished secretary of the Royal Horticultural Society.

But it’s a sign of the times that once were but are no more when such a thing could occur without anyone worrying about the marketability of the apple.

Likely the progeny of Peasgood's Nonsuch and Ribston Pippin, this is as English as an apple can get, cooking to a pale lemon-coloured puree and showing well at the many fruit exhibitions of early 20th century England.

Reverend W. Wilks remains a popular garden apple in the United Kingdom to this day.

Reverend W. Wilks Facts

Its origins

Raised in England; introduced in 1908.

Flavour, aroma, texture

Cooks to a pale lemon-yellow puree with a light, sweet flavour. It's juicy and barely requires any sugar when used in cooking.

Appearance

A large, pretty apple with light orange mottling over a pale cream-coloured background skin colour.

When they’re available

Early season (usually in early September).

Quality for fresh eating

Mainly used as a cooking apple.

Quality for cooking

Good.

Keeping ability

Good (2 to 3 months when kept refrigerated).