Freyberg apple
Malus domestica
The sweetness of Golden Delicious married to strong flavour of Cox - but takes after Golden Delicious
Parentage: Golden Delicious x Cox
Origin: New Zealand
Introduced: 1934
Season: Nov-Dec
Apple cultivar ID: 108800
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.
Relationships to other apple varieties
Parents and other ancestors of this variety
- Golden Delicious (parent)
Siblings of this variety (same parentage)
- Rubinette - Freyberg takes after Golden Delicious, whereas Rubinette takes after Cox
See also
- Kidd's Orange Red - Developed by same breeder - J.H. Kidd of New Zealand
Where to buy apple trees
The following fruit tree nurseries offer Freyberg apple trees for sale:
-
Keepers Nursery
, Kent, United Kingdom (Deliver nationally)
Available November-March
More supplier details
Where to buy fruit and related products
No fruit suppliers listed for this variety.
Apple tree register
The following Freyberg trees have been registered - click the name to view more details of each tree:
- 09 Aug 08 Axel Kratel Santa Cruz, California, United States
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.
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.
Articles
-
Your top 10 apple varieties
The top 10 most popular apple descriptions on this website. -
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.