Cox's Orange Pippin apple

Malus domestica

Is this the best-flavored dessert apple ever - probably.

Cox's Orange Pippin apple photo tape

Parentage: Ribston Pippin ?
Origin: England
Introduced: 1825
Season: Oct-Dec
Apple cultivar ID: 108600


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.

Buy Cox's Orange Pippin apple trees from our own Orange Pippin shop

We have Cox's Orange Pippin apple trees for sale from the Orange Pippin fruit tree shop






Apple Tree Register

Do you have a tree of this variety in your garden or orchard? If so please register the details on our Apple Tree Register here.



Relationships to other apple varieties

Offspring of this variety:

Parents and other ancestors of this variety:

  • Ribston Pippin - Ribston Pippin is generally believed to be one of the parents of Cox

Discuss Cox's Orange Pippin in our Forums

03 Feb 2010 17:54Susan S Fliegel
Many years ago found this apple in the Boston Farmer's Market when I was visiting there, and bought a few. Went back the next day and bought a huge bag full. One of the best apples I have ever eaten, and the one I will plant if I get land in the next few years.
24 Nov 2009 01:24Damian
My great great grandfather was the very first to introduce the cox orange to the canterbury area in New Zealand. Arrived on the The Randolph 1850.
20 Oct 2009 03:02Niamh
It annoys me so much to see Cox apples from Holland etc when we can just as easily grow it in Ireland, or at least import it from England.

See more forum posts about Cox's Orange Pippin.

Add your comments.


Identification photos

Apple identification photo - Fruit - Cox's Orange Pippin at the National Fruit Collection, Kent, EnglandApple identification photo - Fruit - Cox's Orange Pippin in New Hampshire

Click an image to view larger

Cox's Orange Pippin at the National Fruit Collection, Kent, England

Apple identification photo

Click the image to view full-size


Sign in | Register

Where to buy apple trees

The following fruit tree nurseries offer Cox's Orange Pippin apple trees for sale:

Where to buy fruit and related products

The following orchards and suppliers offer Cox's Orange Pippin apples for sale:

Apple tree register

The following Cox's Orange Pippin trees have been registered - click the name to view more details of each tree:

Do you have a tree of this variety in your garden or orchard? If so please found out more about our Apple Tree Register here and register your apple trees.

Variety request

Is your favourite variety not listed here? We are constantly adding new variety details, so please use our contact form to suggest new varieties.

Apple and Orchard Articles

  • Your top 10 apple varieties
    The top 10 most popular apple descriptions on this website.
  • Contact
    How to contact the Orange Pippin plums and gages editor.
  • How to contact Orange Pippin
    How to stay up to date with what's happening at Orange Pippin
  • Delicious / Red Delicious / Golden Delicious
    3 apple varieties, often confused - here is how they relate to each other.
  • The National Trust Orchards at Cotehele
    Site of the National Trust's new Mother Orchard of predominantly Cornish and Devonshire apple varieties.
  • Red coloration in apples
    Short article on how to encourage red coloration in apples.
  • Russets and Flavour
    A discussion of the effect of russeting on the flavour of apples.
  • Top 10 apple varieties for the garden
    Hamid Habibi of Keepers Nursery to recommend 10 apple varieties which are easy to grow in the northern European garden.
  • Top 10 dessert apple varieties for flavour
    Our list of the best apple varieties for flavor.
  • Supermarket apples
    Helps you compare some of the apple varieties listed on this website with popular supermarket apple varieties.
  • Book reviews
    We hope the following book reviews will help you to find out more about apples, orchards, and growing your own trees.
  • Apples for Christmas
    An old article fromby Dr. W. E. Shewell-Cooper, reproduced from Hertfordshire Countryside magazine, December 1973.
  • Fruit trees on their own roots
    Hugh Ermen, one of the top modern UK apple breeders, discusses the techniques and advantages of growing fruit trees without rootstocks - on their own roots.
  • Apple breeding at East Malling Research
    East Malling Research (EMR) is the principal UK provider of top-class basic, strategic and applied horticultural research and development for the perennial crops sector. Launched in 2004, EMR builds on a 90-year history and world-class reputation for revolutionary research in this field.
  • Yorkshire apples
    Apples, gardening and orchards in Yorkshire, UK
  • Orchard marketing
    The potential for marketing produce from local orchards in Yorkshire and Humberside in the UK - a report on the viability of establishing supply chains to link local consumers and local orchards in the UK Countryside Stewardship Scheme.
©2010 Orange Pippin Ltd. All rights reserved. | Contact us | Privacy policy | Disclaimer
XML sitemap | Design by: sketchmedia | Website by: Amarsys
Unless otherwise stated, all text and images are strictly our copyright and may not be reproduced
without permission. We will grant permission in most cases provided you ask us first.
We do not accept any liability for loss or damage incurred as a result of any errors in the content of this website.
This website is dedicated to Maureen Borrie 1933 - 2006.