Falstaff apple
Falstaff is another variation on a familiar modern theme - growers attempting to improve on Golden Delicious. Whilst Falstaff probably owes its size and yellow background colour to Golden Delicious, when it comes to flavour it really takes after its other parent - James Grieve, a juicy and pleasantly acidic apple which arose in Scotland in the 1890s.
It is interesting to compare Falstaff with the equivalent varieties from the Victorian era a hundred years earlier. The fashion then was for the russet autumnal colouring found in Victorian favourites such as Adams Pearmain or Ribston Pippin. In contrast, Falstaff is brighter and brasher, and stands out well from the modern competition.
Falstaff is also more up to date when it comes to flavour and texture. It is crunchy and juicy straight from the tree, with light cream coloured flesh. It mellows and softens somewhat as it ages, but remains juicy. The flavour lacks the complexity of the Victorian apples, but is a well-balanced combination of sweetness - from Golden Delicious - and acidity - from James Grieve. We tend to find that the James Grieve parentage probably has the greater impact on Falstaff's flavour, and it is pleasingly sharp when picked from the tree. There is something in the flavour for fans of the older classic English style as well - it is quite likely that one of its grandparents is Cox's Orange Pippin.
Like many James Grieve offspring, this is also a good apple for making your own apple juice.
Species: Malus domestica
Parentage: James Grieve x Golden Delicious
Origin: England
Introduced / discovered: 1965
Season: Oct-Dec
Comments
09 Nov 07 10:45 Mike McPhun from Northumberland, UK
We have a 4 year old tree bought as "Red Falstaff", and the ripe fruit is identical to the above illustration. However we find that the apples are very late to ripen in this area. Picked in mid October they are too sour for dessert, but delicious cooked. Left on the tree longer, in past years they have been attacked by scab. This year we had 6 good specimens left ripening on the tree, but last week they disappeared overnight!
17 Oct 07 18:20 Gabriel Levine from Torquay, UK
You state that Falstaff has the same parentage as Greensleeves (G/Del x J/Grieve). Yet it looks & tastes quite different. Have you got the parentage right? Falstaff is a new apple to me, 1st seen & tasted last Sunday. However this was labelled Red Falstaff. Is this the same as Falstaff?
15 Oct 07 11:58 Sally Bail from Somerset, UK
Your tasting notes are spot on. Falstaff is a lovely apple. In reply to Jean Swinton, don't pick Falstaff too early. Early October is about right. Store in a 'fridge if you can, it keeps best if kept really cold.
10 Sep 07 14:58 Jean Swinton from Clacton-on-sea
We have a small Falstaff in our garden. When is the best time to pick the apples. Last year we left it too late we think. They are a lovely apple.
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