Freyberg apple
Malus domestica
The sweetness of Golden Delicious married to strong flavour of Cox - but takes after Golden Delicious. Also known as Freyburg.
Freyberg is another apple variety developed by New Zealander J.H Kidd in the 1930s, in his quest to combine the best characteristics of Cox's Orange Pippin and with some of the American varieties. Freyberg is a cross between Golden Delicious and Cox's Orange Pippin, and in this case it is Golden Delicious which is most apparent in the offspring. (For a very different take on this combination, try Rubinette).
Freyberg is a fairly small nicely shaped golden green apple - pretty much what you would expect from a small Golden Delicious. The flesh is white and crisp but not hard. The flavour is sweet and can have a distinct flavour of Conference pears. Like Golden Delicious it also keeps well.
You would have thought that with two such excellent parents, Freyberg could not fail to be a superb apple. In fact, Freyberg is a very nice apple, but hardly a great one. J.H. Kidd is also responsible for two other famous varieties: Kidd's Orange Red and Gala, both of which have Cox in their make-up. Kidd's Orange Red in particular has that extra something that marks out the top quality apple, and Gala has the distinction of being one of the most commercially successful apple varieties. Freyberg somehow does not quite live up to the standards set by its cousins.
Gala is in fact a cross between Kidd's Orange Red and Golden Delicious. A comparison of Gala and Freyberg is therefore a way of looking at the effect of the richness of a Cox, applied in varying degrees on the easy-going sweet flavour of Golden Delicious.
Freyberg is very rarely available for sale, so you will have to grow your own. Like Golden Delicious (and unlike Cox) it is a reliable tree and fairly easy to grow in the drier parts of the UK.
Freyberg is not a great apple, but for everyday eating it is sweet and refreshing. If you are looking for a small sweet apple for the children to take to school, this is a good choice.
Last updated
10 Jun 2010 by
Orange Pippin.
Summary
- Parentage: Golden Delicious x Cox
- Origin: New Zealand
- Introduced: 1934
- Orange Pippin Cultivar ID: 108800
Relationships to other varieties
Parents and other ancestors of this variety:
Siblings of this variety (same parentage):
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Rubinette - Freyberg takes after Golden Delicious, whereas Rubinette takes after Cox
See also:
Varieties you have viewed
Where to buy apple trees
The following fruit tree nurseries offer Freyberg apple trees for sale:
Apple tree register
The following Freyberg apple 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 register the details here and contribute to our international register of fruit trees.
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