Description
Rare Yorkshire variety which arose in the village of Acklam in the mid 1700s (Joan Morgan). First rate, late season russeted apple with a rich sweet taste, which will keep until March. Very hardy adaptable to cold wet soils, and an excellent bearer (Hogg).
"First recorded in 1768, Acklam Russet was discovered in the village of Acklam in North Yorkshire, which lies northeast of York. The village, formerly in the East Riding, lies in a narrow valley at the western edge of the Yorkshire Wolds, where the soils are either clay, or typically chalky, free-draining wold soils. Scions of Acklam Russet were taken from the village into the National Fruit Collection at Brogdale in 1961.
It seems likely that this was always a local apple, having none of the lists of synonyms common to others that have passed round various nurseries gathering duplicate names on the way. It is not widely grown, and appears to have been overlooked by most pomologists, with the honourable exception of Hogg, who considered it of first-rate quality. It is certainly a good keeper, and an excellent cropper. A spur-bearer, it makes a handsome and productive espalier. It is very hardy and does well in regions with short growing seasons.
Not a large apple, but just the right size for dessert (it goes well with strong cheeses), and a fine apple for the lunch box, probably at its best around midwinter. The russetting on Acklam Russet varies in extent, and following sunny summers, will be extensive enough to give that delicious sensory juxtaposition between the roughness of the skin on the tongue and the sharp burst of richly flavoured juice when bitten into. It has an excellent flavour." © Lin Hawthorne - 'The Northern Pomona'.
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