White Jersey

Why you should be excited

White Jersey is a lesser-known English bittersweet cider apple that produces a nice vintage-quality juice.

The story of White Jersey

As interest in traditional cider varieties grows here in North America, most of the talk we hear surrounds the quality of the juice each variety produces. We agree that this is the most important consideration, but it sure isn’t the only one.

Productivity doesn’t get as much attention and nor does precocity (how young a tree starts producing).

These considerations might not matter to a cidermaker who buys fruit from others, but for those of us who grow as well as make cider, they’re really important.

So, a variety like White Jersey, which is a bittersweet of vintage quality that is damned with the faint praise of producing juice of ‘moderate quality,’ deserves better, because it is both highly productive and precocious.

White Jersey Facts

Its origins

Discovered in Somerset, England, 19th century. Recorded 1895.

Flavour, aroma, texture

Good quality juice that’s low acid and mildly tannic.

Appearance

A smallish yellow apple.

When they’re available

Mid-season (usually in mid-September).

Quality for fresh eating

Not for fresh eating.

Quality for cooking

Not for cooking.

Quality for cider

Very good.

Keeping ability

So-so (best to press within a couple of weeks of harvest).