Kitchen Garden Forum

We recently bought a quantity of (I assume this season's) Discovery apples from a Sussex farm shop. They are so sharp as to be virtually inedible, even after stewing with sugar. I guess this must be partly due to the lack of sunshine which might have increased their sugar content. Can anybody suggest what I can do to improve them. Will leaving them lying around in sunshine improve their flavour?

Hi Primrose,
I suspect that in order to have something to sell that they have been picked far too early especially for this year. May I suggest you put them in a drawer for a week or so with a Banana. This may help convert some of the acid to sugars.
I grow Discovery and they are normally quite a sweet apple. I know that mine would not be picked at this time even in a good year. I generally wait until sometime after the summer drop before I even consider picking.
JB.

I would suggest that it is far to early for English apples, I would rather take them back, if they quibble, ask them to eat one. Shallotman

Thanks Johnboy. I'll try your suggestion. Actually we were surprised to see English apples available so soon, and you have probably highlighted the reason why. Don't think I'll take them back though, as we bought them whilst away for the week-end and it would necessitate a 200 mile round journey.

It's too early for Discovery Primrose - as pointed out by others - Mid August is usual for picking here.

Mole

Next time I'll try before I buy! This particular farm shop, which we regularly visit when down in Sussex, usually has "taster plates" with chopped up sample pieces during the English Apple Season so that you can sample all the various varieties they sell before you buy. Perhaps somebody sampled this batch and decided to abandon the "taster plate" as nobody would buy them !