Cox's Orange Pippin apple
Malus domestica
Is this the best-flavored dessert apple ever - probably.
This is the classic English apple, often regarded as the finest of all dessert apples, and the inspiration for this website. It arose in England in the 19th century as a chance seedling, and has inspired apple lovers ever since. It remains unsurpassed for its richness and complexity of flavour, but is not as popular as its supermarket competitors, not least because it is relatively difficult to grow.
Not surprisingly, Cox has been frequently used in breeding programmes, with growers seeking to marry its unique flavour with desirable characteristics from other varieties. Whilst some might argue that none of its offspring achieve the unique blend of flavours that Cox does, many of these varieties are nonetheless excellent in their own right - and to many people are more appealing than the more "serious" nature of the Cox. It is also worth seeking out Queen Cox, a 'sport' of the variety which has more flushed appearance and a crisper texture which - especially if you like crisp apples - is an improvement over the original.
Two characteristics tend to be apparent in its offspring to a greater or lesser extent. Firstly the relatively strong and complex "aromatic" flavour which elevates it above most other varieties. Secondly, the striking and attractive orange-red colouring.
It is the range and complexity of flavours which makes Cox and its offspring so appealing to enthusiasts of the "English" style of apple. This is a variety for the connoisseur, who can delight in the appreciation of the astonishing range of subtle flavours - pear, melon, freshly-squeezed Florida orange juice, and mango are all evident in a good example.
Although Cox is often considered a variety to keep for a few months, we suspect this is a hangover from Victorian tradition before the invention of modern controlled atmosphere storage techniques, because it does not really keep that long. The authorities may not agree but in our opinion it is at its best when picked fully ripe straight from the tree, or within a few weeks at most. In this respect, Cox is not really a "late" apple variety and is perhaps better considered a late-picking mid-season variety - and some of its offspring such as Ellison's Orange are definitely mid-season varieties.
The term "orange" in the context of apple varieties commonly refers to an apple with an orange flush. Many of these varieties such as Kidds Orange Red, Ellisons Orange and Tydemann's Late Orange are related to Cox, but it can be applied to others such as Blenheim Orange.
Unfortunately England's greatest apple is not particularly easy to grow. It needs a dry warm climate and is very prone to diseases. Although quite widely available in UK supermarkets, either from UK or New Zealand suppliers, in our experience these apples often have an empty flavour and can be very disappointing, given the legendary reputation of this variety. Therefore, growing your own may be the only answer, inspite of the potential difficulties. After picking, the apples can either be eaten straight away or stored in a cold dark place to allow the flavour to develop - but best eaten before Christmas. Alternatively, Cox can often be found at farmers's markets.
Flavour is a very personal thing but Cox's Orange Pippin is "essential reading" for anyone interested in apples. In terms of flavour it is unquestionably the benchmark against which all others are measured, as well as being (along with Golden Delicious) one of the most influential apple varieties for apple breeders.
Summary
- Parentage: Ribston Pippin ?
- Origin: England, United Kingdom
- Introduced: 1825
- Orange Pippin Cultivar ID: 108600
Identification
- Fruit colour: Orange
- Flesh colour: Cream
- Fruit size: Medium
- Bultitude apple group: 7. Flushed / striped, some russeting, sweet
Using
- Good for eating fresh
- Good for juice
- Good for hard cider
- Flavour quality: Exceptional
- Flavour style: Aromatic
- Ripening period: Mid-Late season
- Use / keeping: 1-2 months
Growing
- Cropping: Light
- Flowering period: Mid season
- Flowering group: 3
- Fertility: Self-sterile Some sports are self-fertile
- Vigour: Average growth
- Gardening skill: Requires a bit of effort
- Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
- General disease resistance: Poor
Climate
- Suitable for warm climates
- Suitable for temperate climates
- Suitable for NW. Scotland?: No
Other qualities
- RHS Award of Garden Merit
Disease resistance
- Mildew - Some susceptibility
- Bacterial canker Pseudomonas syringae - Very susceptible
- Scab - Very susceptible
Mature tree heights for this variety (approximate)
| Rootstock | Soil quality | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poor | Below average | Average | Above average | Very good | |
| P22 | 2.1 ft 0.6 m |
2.6 ft 0.8 m |
3.2 ft 1.0 m |
3.7 ft 1.1 m |
4.2 ft 1.3 m |
| M27 | 2.8 ft 0.9 m |
3.5 ft 1.1 m |
4.2 ft 1.3 m |
4.9 ft 1.5 m |
5.6 ft 1.7 m |
| M9 | 4.2 ft 1.3 m |
5.3 ft 1.6 m |
6.3 ft 1.9 m |
7.4 ft 2.3 m |
8.4 ft 2.6 m |
| Bud.9 | 4.2 ft 1.3 m |
5.3 ft 1.6 m |
6.3 ft 1.9 m |
7.4 ft 2.3 m |
8.4 ft 2.6 m |
| Geneva 16 | 4.2 ft 1.3 m |
5.3 ft 1.6 m |
6.3 ft 1.9 m |
7.4 ft 2.3 m |
8.4 ft 2.6 m |
| Geneva 11 | 4.9 ft 1.5 m |
6.1 ft 1.9 m |
7.4 ft 2.3 m |
8.6 ft 2.6 m |
9.8 ft 3.0 m |
| M26 | 5.6 ft 1.7 m |
7.0 ft 2.1 m |
8.4 ft 2.6 m |
9.8 ft 3.0 m |
11.2 ft 3.4 m |
| Geneva 30 | 5.6 ft 1.7 m |
7.0 ft 2.1 m |
8.4 ft 2.6 m |
9.8 ft 3.0 m |
11.2 ft 3.4 m |
| MM102 | 5.6 ft 1.7 m |
7.0 ft 2.1 m |
8.4 ft 2.6 m |
9.8 ft 3.0 m |
11.2 ft 3.4 m |
| M7 | 6.3 ft 1.9 m |
7.9 ft 2.4 m |
9.5 ft 2.9 m |
11.0 ft 3.4 m |
12.6 ft 3.9 m |
| M116 | 6.3 ft 1.9 m |
7.9 ft 2.4 m |
9.5 ft 2.9 m |
11.0 ft 3.4 m |
12.6 ft 3.9 m |
| MM106 | 7.0 ft 2.1 m |
8.8 ft 2.7 m |
10.5 ft 3.2 m |
12.3 ft 3.8 m |
14.0 ft 4.3 m |
| MM111 | 8.4 ft 2.6 m |
10.5 ft 3.2 m |
12.6 ft 3.9 m |
14.7 ft 4.5 m |
16.8 ft 5.2 m |
| Bud.118 | 9.8 ft 3.0 m |
12.3 ft 3.8 m |
14.7 ft 4.5 m |
17.2 ft 5.3 m |
19.6 ft 6.0 m |
| M25 | 11.2 ft 3.4 m |
14.0 ft 4.3 m |
16.8 ft 5.2 m |
19.6 ft 6.0 m |
22.4 ft 6.9 m |
Relationships to other varieties
Offspring of this variety:
- Alkmene
- Allington Pippin
- Bountiful
- Charles Ross
- Cox - Queen Cox
- Ellison's Orange - Ellisons Orange comes close to Cox for flavour
- Feltham Beauty
- Fiesta (Red Pippin)
- Fortune (Laxton's Fortune)
- Herefordshire Russet
- Holstein (distant descendant) - Cox is a possible ancestor of Holstein
- Ingrid Marie - Ingrid Marie has a blander flavor than Cox
- Jupiter
- Karmijn de Sonnaville
- Kidd's Orange Red
- Laxton's Superb
- Meridian
- Merton Prolific
- Merton Worcester
- Pixie (distant descendant)
- Red Windsor
- Rubens (UK NFC)
- Rubinette - Rubinette has a slightly richer/sharper flavour than Cox, even though its other parent is Golden Delicious
- Sunset - Sunset is probably a seedling of Cox
- Tydeman's Late Orange
- Winston
- Yellow Ingestrie
Parents and other ancestors of this variety:
- Ribston Pippin - Ribston Pippin is generally believed to be one of the parents of Cox