Fiesta apple
Malus domestica
One of the best Cox-style apples, and much easier to grow.
Parentage: Cox's Orange Pippin and Idared
Origin: Kent, England
Introduced: 1972
Season: Oct-Dec
Apple cultivar ID: 102200
Fiesta is a modern (1970s) English variety from the East Malling
Research Station in Kent, sometimes known as Red Pippin. Like so many
modern apples one of the parents is the classic English Cox's Orange
Pippin. Perhaps the unique feature of Fiesta is that in almost every
respect it comes closer to matching its illustrious parent than any
other Cox offspring.
The key to the flavour of most modern varieties that have been
developed from Cox's Orange Pippin is often in the other parent, which
is usually a Golden Delicious or James Grieve style. As a result they
often end up being very nice apples - but not necessarily Cox-style.
In the case of Fiesta the other parent is Idared, a 1940s American
variety which is in some ways quite similar to Cox. Perhaps it is
this similarity which allows the Cox flavour to come through so
faithfully in Fiesta.
Fiesta is a medium-sized apple, with the characteristic flecked red
and orange
flush over yellow - a very attractive autumnal colouring. The flavour
is fundamentally sweet, but with much of the rich complexity of Cox. It is
crisper than Cox, and in some ways a more accessible easier-eating
apple than its parent. It is also quite juicy and is a good variety
for making your own apple juice from. All in all a very nice apple.
Cox and especially Idared will keep in a cold store well into the following
spring and this longevity is inherent in Fiesta as well, but although it
remains firm in store the appealing sweetness seems to disappear after a while.
Fiesta is also an excellent variety for growing in the garden in most parts
of the UK, as (unlike Cox) it is easy to grow and crops well. The only
disadvantage is that it tends to grow in a rather ungainly fashion, so it
is best grown for the excellent apples it will produce rather than for the
appearance of the tree !
Relationships to other apple varieties
Parents and other ancestors of this variety
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Where to buy apple trees
No tree suppliers listed for this variety.
Where to buy fruit and related products
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Apple tree register
The following Fiesta trees have been registered - click the name to view more details of each tree:
- 08 Aug 08
Chris
Lancashire, UK, United Kingdom
Do you have a tree of this variety in your garden or orchard? If so please register here and contribute to our international register of apple trees.
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