Egremont Russet apple

Malus domestica

The definitive English russet apple.

Egremont Russet apple photo tape

Parentage: Unknown
Origin: England
Introduced: 1872
Season: Oct-Dec
Apple cultivar ID: 101800


Egremont Russet is a classic English russet apple from the Victorian era.  Whilst russet apples have generally fallen out of favour, Egremont Russet remains popular with discerning apple lovers who appreciate its unique flavour and apearance.

Part of its enduring success is down to niche marketing. This is an apple that dares to be different ! It is a russet-skinned variety with a dry flesh - a style of apple that has not attracted the attentions of mainstream apple breeders, but nevertheless seems to have a dedicated following. Also, inspite of its unique appearance, Egremont Russet has many of the characteristics which mark out a good apple: a harmony of flavour and texture, and a good balance between sweetness and sharpness.

The difference is evident as soon as you pick it up. The skin is entirely covered with "russet", which feels like very fine sandpaper. Some other varieties have streaks of russet, notably Cox's Orange Pippin, but in Egremont Russet it completely dominates the appearance. The colour is an attractive dull gold flecked with yellow.

Egremont Russet is a medium-sized apple. The flesh seems quite dry and gets drier with keeping - it is moist rather than juicy. Traditionally described as "nutty", the flavour is more delicate than most varieties, and quite sweet. Both the flavour and the soft flesh are reminiscent of a firm pear. Yet Egremont Russet is surprisingly versatile, working well in savoury salads for example, and a popular partner for cheese.

If you are used to a modern, smooth-skinned, crisp apple then the sandpaper finish of a russet apple like Egremont Russet may sound distinctly un-appealing, but this is a case of the whole being greater than the sum of the parts. It may be very different, but it undoubtedly works - definitely worth a try !

Buy Egremont Russet apple trees from our own Orange Pippin shop

We have Egremont Russet 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.



Discuss Egremont Russet in our Forums

20 Mar 2010 16:18Dave
Probably my favourite apple. Dense and dry flesh that has as unique a flavour as Cox's. It eats well in almost any state - wizzened it is sweeter and still good eating, if a little woolly.
15 Dec 2009 00:33Paula
Plese let me know if I've located the Philip Pye who has 4 sons and a brother named Andrew
04 Oct 2009 22:52C. McCombie
Used to scrump russets, and others from a neglected orchard on our way home from school in Canada , not fr from St. Catharines. Must have been small because I remember getting lost in the tall grass . Now have taken over a small old orchard with a russet tree! I never forgot the taste of them picked as they had fallen to the ground.They are definitely my favourite.

See more forum posts about Egremont Russet.

Add your comments.


Identification photos

Egremont Russet blossom

Apple identification photo

Click the image to view full-size


Sign in | Register

Where to buy apple trees

The following fruit tree nurseries offer Egremont Russet apple trees for sale:

Where to buy apples

No fruit suppliers listed for this variety.

Apple tree register

The following Egremont Russet 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.
  • Cherchons pépinières Francaises
    Nous cherchons pépinière specialiste des arbres fruitiers en France, recente et ancien.
  • 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.