Ribston Pippin

Why you should be excited

Ribston Pippin is an old English apple revered for its flavour and for parenting Cox’s Orange Pippin.

The story of Ribston Pippin

Back in the day, before the 19th century appearance of Cox’s Orange Pippin on the scene in England, this was the king fruit of the United Kingdom.

Ribston Pippin was the most highly esteemed of all desert apples during Victorian times, with its powerful flavour, juiciness, aroma and firm flesh winning near-universal acclaim.

It packs flavour of far greater depth than the average 21st century store-bought apple. Even with the rise of its famous progeny, this remains a highly respected apple that’s widely grown in home gardens in the U.K. and is apparently still grown commercially in Sweden.

Ribston Pippin Facts

Its origins

Raised from a seed in Knaresborough, Yorkshire, England, around 1707.

Flavour, aroma, texture

The juicy, firm deep cream-coloured flesh has an intense, rich, aromatic apple flavour, along with a nice jolt of acid.

Appearance

The yellow-green background skin colour of this medium-sized apple is flushed with brownish-orange and red stripes, ripening to a brighter red over gold.

When they’re available

Mid-season (usually in late September or early October).

Quality for fresh eating

Very good.

Quality for cooking

Mainly used for fresh eating.

Keeping ability

Good (3 or even 4 months when kept refrigerated).