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Adams's Pearmain apple

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Adams's Pearmain

Adams's Pearmain is a an old-fashioned late dessert apple, one of the most popular varieties in Victorian England, probably originating from Norfolk. It has an attractive 'pearmain' shape.

This is a fairly dry apple - which is perhaps not regarded as a desirable attribute today. Inspite of this it is actually a very enjoyable apple, with a rich aromatic flavour which in apple terms is usually described as 'nutty' - a quality it shares with another popular Victorian apple, the Egremont Russet.

There is some evidence that Adam's Pearmain is a triploid variety, with 3 sets of chromosomes instead of the usual 2 - or perhaps a partial triploid.  However it does not possess many of the typical features seen in triploid varieties (such as large size and vigour).

Although it had 'shelf appeal' for the Victorian housewife, its autumnal colouring is probably too subdued to compete with the bright young things of the modern supermarket shelves. Perhaps this is part of its appeal; it recalls a bygone era where subtlety of flavour was appreciated - a lovely apple to savour in front of an open fire on a cold winter's day.

 

Adams's Pearmain apple identification images

All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.

  • Adams Pearmain

USDA identification images for Adams's Pearmain

The identification paintings in the USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection span the years 1886 to 1942.

    Citation: U.S. Department of Agriculture Pomological Watercolor Collection. Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD 20705.

    Visitor reviews

    • 21 Aug 2024 
      First fruit from our 3 year old tree
    • 11 Oct 2022 
      I grew up with this apple in my nana’s yard She wouldn’t let me eat it early but I’d sneak back and steal an early feast - so yummy
    • 24 Oct 2016  SOMERSET, United Kingdom
      just bought a couple to try at North Perrott fruit farm near Crewkerne in Somerset. I struggle with really tart apples but my partner loves them and this is a good compromise as it has the flavour and tang without being too much for me. I agree with previous comments. Lovely fruit.
    • 11 Nov 2014  United Kingdom
      Bought this variety on Fakenham Market, Norfolk last week. Very large fruit with delicious flavour - will definitely buy again.
    • 11 Dec 2011  GLOUCESTERSHIRE, United Kingdom
      I bought these from a local orchard. I agree with the earlier comments, but would go further and say that the intensity of the flavour beats even the Cox's Orange Pippin, with which it is quite similar. One of my favourites.
    • 16 Nov 2010  CO ANTRIM, NORTHERN IRELAND, United Kingdom
      Recently I inherited my late grand father's Victorian house. There is the remains of an orchard which still contains four original apple trees. One of the trees this year bore copious apples which I had never seen before. I was looking through the web tonight and came upon your web site and I am delighted to find that my apple tree is definitely an Adam's Pearman variety. It has the shape shown in this article and looks identical when sliced having little stars mainly five pointed and a few four pointed 'stars'. I would agree with the comments of David from Leeds, Yorkshire when says " The texture is appealing and unusual - you could call it 'dry' but the apple is not short of juice. The flavours are enhanced by acids which seem to get better as you eat more of the fruit. Not unlike a good Mosel wine!". Please find some photos which I took this evening.
    • 11 Nov 2010  WESTMEATH, Ireland
      Info on olde pearmain apple trees and where to purchase them in Ireland
    • 05 Nov 2008  RUTLAND, ENGLAND, United Kingdom
      Our neighbour has this tree in the garden, which used to form part of an orchard to 'the Hall' The fruit is very tasty and makes an excellent apple juice, pink and slightly tart. Keeps well. Nice to be able to identify it from this website.
    • 29 Oct 2008  LEEDS, YORKSHIRE, United Kingdom
      I tasted this apple at an orchard near York last weekend and bought a couple of kilos. The texture is appealing and unusual - you could call it 'dry' but the apple is not short of juice. The flavours are enhanced by acids which seem to get better as you eat more of the fruit. Not unlike a good Mosel wine! I'm looking forward to eating more.
    • 20 Oct 2008  SHEFFIELD, United Kingdom
      Just bought some of these from the Sheffield Wholesale Market to sell in our shop - Beanies. They were grown at Brogdale. I would agree with the comment above - they are tart and tasty with a good crisp flesh. The fruit is quite small but that might be to do with the age of the trees they came from.
    • 29 Sep 2008  ALEXANDRIA, OH, United States
      I just bought a peck of these delicious apples today. I would describe them as tart and very flavorful. My favorite!

    Tree register

    United States

    United Kingdom

    Ireland

    Netherlands

    Australia

    New Zealand

    Switzerland

    India

    Spring blossom records for this variety

    2018 season

    • 7th May  2018  - tree owned by Bill in Smeeton Westerby, United Kingdom

    2017 season

    • 25th April  2017  - tree owned by Bill in Smeeton Westerby, United Kingdom

    2016 season

    • 13th May  2016  - tree owned by Bill in Smeeton Westerby, United Kingdom

    2015 season

    • 11th May  2015  - tree owned by Bill in Smeeton Westerby, United Kingdom

    2013 season

    • 22nd April  2013  - tree owned by John in Ayr, United Kingdom

    Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.


    Harvest records for this variety

    2017 season

    • 1st week October  2017  - tree owned by Bill in Smeeton Westerby, United Kingdom

    2016 season

    • November  2016  - tree owned by Robert in Crediton, United Kingdom
    • 3rd week October  2016  - tree owned by Nigel in Ryton Dorrington Shrewsbury, United Kingdom
    • 2nd week October  2016  - tree owned by Bill in Smeeton Westerby, United Kingdom

    2015 season

    • 2nd week October  2015  - tree owned by Bill in Smeeton Westerby, United Kingdom

    2013 season

    • 2nd week March  2013  - tree owned by Fiona in Mt Barker, Australia
    • March  2013  - tree owned by Katrina in Nelson, New Zealand

    2012 season

    • 2nd week October  2012  - tree owned by Dan in Killarney, Ireland

    2011 season

    • 2nd week October  2011  - tree owned by Henry in Newport (Pembs), United Kingdom

    2010 season

    • 2nd week October  2010  - tree owned by Adam in Alloa, United Kingdom
    • 2nd week October  2010  - tree owned by Henry in Newport (Pembs), United Kingdom

    2009 season

    • 2nd week October  2009  - tree owned by Henry in Newport (Pembs), United Kingdom

    Origins

    • Species: Malus domestica - Apple
    • Parentage: Unknown
    • Originates from: England, United Kingdom
    • Introduced: 1826
    • UK National Fruit Collection accession: 1976-137

    Identification

    • Country of origin: United Kingdom
    • Period of origin: 1800 - 1849
    • Fruit colour: Orange flush
    • Leaf colour: Green
    • Popularity: Best sellers
    • Annual cycle: Deciduous
    • Alleles: 1
    • Alleles: 3
    • Alleles: 10

    Using

    • Picking season: Late
    • Keeping (of fruit): 3 months or more
    • Flavour quality: Good
    • Flavour style (apples): Sweeter
    • Discoloration of fruit: Slightly oxidising (browns slowly)
    • Cropping: Good
    • Fruit persistence: Normal ripening
    • Food uses: Eating fresh
    • Picking period: mid-October
    • Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators

    Growing

    • Gardening skill: Average
    • Flowering group: 3
    • Pollinating others: Poor
    • Ploidy: Diploid
    • Vigour: Weak growing
    • Bearing regularity: Biennial tendency
    • Fruit bearing: Partial tip-bearer
    • Self-fertility: Not self-fertile

    Climate

    • Frost resistance of blossom: Good resistance
    • Cold hardiness (USDA): Zone 5 (-29C)
    • Cold hardiness (USDA): Zone 6 (-23C)
    • Cold hardiness (USDA): Zone 7 (-18C)
    • Cold hardiness (USDA): Zone 8 (-12C)
    • Climate suitability: Temperate climates
    • Climate suitability: Mild damp climates
    • Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
    • Summer average maximum temperatures: Cold (< 20C / 67F)

    Other qualities

    • Disease resistance: Good

    Where to buy trees

    The following tree nurseries offer Adams's Pearmain apple trees for sale:


    Where to buy fresh fruit

    The following orchards grow Adams's Pearmain:

    United Kingdom




    References

    • Apples of England (1948)
      Author: Taylor

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