Severn Bank

Why you should be excited

Severn Bank is a high-acid English cider apple often confused with a cooking apple of the same name.

As if it wasn’t already hard enough to keep apple varieties straight, this one shares its name with another English variety, also with high acidity.

This Severn Bank is a cider apple, while the other contributes its high acidity to baking.

The risk of mixing the two up, is, of course, quite high, except at harvest time, as the cooker is ripe early in the season and does not keep well.

This one is ready a bit later in the season.

Of course, one might argue that high acid cider-only varieties really aren’t necessary, given that there are lots of other sour apples out there.

Especially in England, where the highly popular Bramley’s Seedling is a cooking apple that can certainly contribute sharp juice to cider blends.

Originated in England, likely in the 19th century.

Juicy and acidic, so well-suited to blending with low-acid varieties.

Medium-sized with a pale red blush over a yellow background.

Mid-late season (in our orchard: mid-September).

Not well-suited to fresh eating.

Good when blended with low acid varieties.

Good.

Limited (best to press within a couple of weeks of harvest).