’Appley cooking with Britain’s best
Celebrity chef Raymond Blanc is passionate about Britain’s apples and pears. MARION McMULLEN finds out why
THE Great British harvest season has just started and no one is happier than celebrity chef Raymond Blanc. He says: “For me, some of the greatest tasting apples in the world are British. The start of the season gives us the perfect opportunity to showcase British apples and pears and to talk about the fantastic varieties available on our doorstep.”
The French chef’s dedication to British apples led him to plant his own orchard of 2,500 trees in the grounds of his two Michelin Star restaurant and hotel Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Oxfordshire. He wrote about the project in his latest book The Lost Orchard and how he reconnected with some incredible British varieties along the way.
Now Raymond is launching the new British apple and pear season and says: “I am extremely proud to be working alongside British growers. When we remind people of just how wonderful the humble British apple is, I know everyone will be as excited about British apples as I am.”
Supermarkets will be well stocked with home-grown British varieties and this year a staggering 1.6 billion apples and pears will be picked by hand in British orchards.
It’s been a challenging season for British apple and pear farmers with fluctuating weather conditions and the continuing impact of Covid-19, but this year’s apple harvest is expected to be especially delicious.
Ali Capper, executive chair, British Apples & Pears, says: “Britain is the greatest apple nation in the world.
“We have the perfect combination of the ideal maritime climate, centuries of orchard experience and a commitment to innovation that enables our apple and pear varieties to flourish – delivering delicious healthy, home-grown fruit for everyone to enjoy.
“With the weather challenges this year, it may not be the biggest harvest we’ve ever had, but it will certainly be one of the best tasting.”
■ Go to greatbritishapples.co.uk for further recipe ideas.