Cox's Orange Pippin apple
This is the classic English apple, often regarded as the finest of all dessert apples, and the inspiration for this website. It arose in England in the 19th century as a chance seedling, and has inspired apple lovers ever since. It remains unsurpassed for its richness and complexity of flavour, but is not as popular as its supermarket competitors, not least because it is relatively difficult to grow.
Not surprisingly, Cox has been frequently used in breeding programmes, with growers seeking to marry its unique flavour with desirable characteristics from other varieties. Whilst some might argue that none of its offspring achieve the unique blend of flavours that Cox does, many of these varieties are nonetheless excellent in their own right - and to many people are more appealing than the more "serious" nature of the Cox. It is also worth seeking out Queen Cox, a 'sport' of the variety which has more flushed appearance and a crisper texture which - especially if you like crisp apples - is an improvement over the original.
Two characteristics tend to be apparent in its offspring to a greater or lesser extent. Firstly the relatively strong and complex "aromatic" flavour which elevates it above most other varieties. Secondly, the striking and attractive orange-red colouring.
It is the range and complexity of flavours which makes Cox and its offspring so appealing to enthusiasts of the "English" style of apple. This is a variety for the connoisseur, who can delight in the appreciation of the subtle flavours as the apple matures in the months after picking. An astonishing range of flavours including pear, melon, freshly-squeezed Florida orange juice, and mango are all evident in a good example.
Although Cox is often considered a variety to keep for a few months, we suspect this is a hangover from Victorian tradition before the invention of modern controlled atmosphere storage techniques, because it does not really keep that long. The authorities may not agree but in our opinion it is at its best when picked fully ripe straight from the tree, or within a few weeks at most. In this respect, Cox is not really a "late" apple variety and is perhaps better considered a late-picking mid-season variety - and some of its offspring such as Ellison's Orange are definitely mid-season varieties.
The term "orange" in the context of apple varieties commonly refers to an apple with an orange flush. Many of these varieties such as Kidds Orange Red, Ellisons Orange and Tydemann's Late Orange are related to Cox, but it can be applied to others such as Blenheim Orange.
Unfortunately England's greatest apple is not particularly easy to grow. It needs a dry warm climate and is very prone to diseases. Although quite widely available in UK supermarkets, either from UK or New Zealand suppliers, in our experience these apples often have an empty flavour and can be very disappointing, given the legendary reputation of this variety. Therefore, growing your own may be the only answer, inspite of the potential difficulties. After picking, the apples can either be eaten straight away or stored in a cold dark place to allow the flavour to develop - but best eaten before Christmas. Alternatively, Cox can often be found at farmers's markets.
Flavour is a very personal thing but Cox's Orange Pippin is "essential reading" for anyone interested in apples. In terms of flavour it is unquestionably the benchmark against which all others are measured, as well as being (along with Golden Delicious) one of the most influential apple varieties for apple breeders.
Visitor comments:
"I dislike the imported Cox’s or for that matter most of the imported apples – to me they are not the same; there is something about our climate that makes our apples the best!!!" DLW, England
"I agree with your tasting notes about this variety - but I am 60 years old. How does anyone younger know when they are tasting a genuine one? I have the impression that imported ones are not the true variety and should not be allowed to be so named. Am I wrong? It used to be a diagnostic of the Cox's Orange Pippin that the seeds rattle when it is shaken. Those which often appear in the supermarkets labelled "Cox's apples", though English, do not rattle and do not taste like Cox's Orange Pippin. Are we being conned?" Bernard, England
"The Cox's Orange Pippins that I grew up with in England in the 60s and 70s weren't shiny, rosy-cheeked, photogenic, cookie-cutter supermarketapples. They were often deeply orange in patches, yes; but they were just as likely to be brown all over. They were rough, warty, often wrinkled, often lopsided. They were the apples that would be passed by without a second glance by the poor unfortunates who didn't know what they were. Cox's Orange Pippins don't do shiny and photogenic. They weren't just anther variation of picture-perfect Stepford apples. They had personality and individuality. The thought of Cox's Orange Pippins becoming just another apple analogue of the overblown and flavorless American beefsteak tomato, along with Golden Disgustings, even blander Red Disgustings, and Australian Watersaps, is too terrible to contemplate. Some of these supermarket-tuned wonder-varieties haven't the texture of decent sawdust or the flavor of a properly aged plastic bag. It'll be an irretrievable loss if the true Cox's Orange Pippin has been sacrificed, like so many other wonderful heritage varieties of fruit and vegetables, on the altar of picture-perfect produce-department homogeneity." Phil, UK
"I now live in Quebec the home of the Mackintosh of which I have become very fond. My wife insists on them though I am also fond of Famous when picked in the cold at the verger. I can remember the Cox's from the uncared trees at Goodmanham Wold Farm (Yorkshire, England) where I stayed with my Uncle about 1953 and I wish that they could be grown here. Like you say not too much to look at but one really great taste." Ian, Quebec, Canada
"I found this website right after a nostalgic note to an e-mail friend about the perfect apple. I had the joy of access to the Cox Orange Pippin when I lived in Sussex, England in the 1970's. I consider it the perfect apple, with no competitor even coming close. Something not mentioned here that I recall of this apple is the scent, which hints of rose and is heady in its complexity. I sure wish I could find this apple in Michigan, but alak and alas, it is not here. " Meg, Michigan USA
Species: Malus domestica
Parentage: Ribston Pippin ?
Origin: England
Introduced / discovered: 1825
Season: Oct-Dec
Comments
03 Jun 08 22:44 Derek from Coal Harbour, BC, Canada
I just planted a dwarf 'Cox Orange Pippin' apple tree in the front yard of my new home. I wanted to plant a tree the day I took possession of the place and this was the tree I selected. I had never heard of this varietal, but found the tree at a garden centre. Now I'm really excited to try one of these apples! I'm wondering if it's too rainy were I live. We'll see what happens. :)
18 Apr 08 18:29 Darren from Reno, NV USA
Queen Cox and six of the Cox's progeny are offerd through raintreenursery.com in the U.S. Applesource, a mailorder distributor of numerous apple varieties told me that Cox's Orange Pippin preferred to be sited next to a body of water for the temperature and humidity moderating effects. I ordered a dozen different apples to decide what to plant back of the house, and although Applesource told me the Cox's were past their prime, I insisted on trying them. What a gem! It had real competitors in Ashmead's and others, too.
26 Mar 08 22:14 Axel from Santa Cruz, California
Someone had what turns out to be the not so brilliant idea to have the viruses removed from the cox orange pippin (this is often done in the lab by regrowing the wood in vitro). Well, it turns out that the cox's orange pippin that has been cleaned of all viruses is reputed to be rather poor in flavor compared to the old cox. (The virus free version is available from Dave Wilson, who acknowledges it's lack in flavor compared to the regular diseased one.) Yes, cox orange pippin is very disease prone, and apparently, this is desirable in order to get the original, richly flavored and ugly, warty cox orange pippin. Here in California, we have to grow it with afternoon shade, otherwise the fruit gets fried. So it's not all that warm loving after all.
08 Mar 08 16:19 John from New York, NY
I lived in England for 8.5 yrs. This is the best apple I ever tasted & will always be my favorite.
27 Feb 08 20:55 Peter Copestake from Colne, Lancashire. England
As I've just put on another site I don't think there is any comparison between Cox apples and Cox's Orange Pippins and if they are not the same is there a case for ASA or Trading Standards intervening. I think we are being conned.
25 Feb 08 16:13 Lee Mincey from Savannah GA, USA
THIS APPLE ROCKS!!!
23 Feb 08 04:33 reece from Australia
cox's orange pippins are da best ya Know
04 Feb 08 01:44 Laraine Santagato from Atwater CA, USA
Having called a local nursery I thought may have the Cox's apple and didn't, I decided to browse the internet and found an orchard in Virginia that grafts and stocks old fashioned apples or vintage apples, Cox's orange pipin was among their rootstock. I end up buying it from this orchard, called "Rural ridge orchard" its a 1 year old, so I have no idea when it will bare fruit. Anyone out there know how old they are when they bare fruit?
03 Feb 08 22:43 Laraine Santagato from Atwater CA, USA
I just wanted to ask Steve from Orange Vale Ca, where he purchased his Cox's apple tree? I phoned the nursery nearest me that USED TO USE DAVE WILSON'S and she told me she would see what she could do, but that she now uses different suppliers. I was told that I couldn't buy the tree from Wilson's because he's a whole seller. I would gladly buy it through a web page, but haven't found one yet that has them. Anyone with suggestions ?
03 Feb 08 09:14 Laraine from Awater CA, USA
I had forgotten that I had left a comment on this board before, because to my delight I received an e-mail today letting me know that a local nursery near me can order a Cox's apple tree. I will definitely pursue this lead, and thank Steve that informed me of this, thanks Steve, I will let you know what I find out, Laraine
03 Feb 08 07:27 Steve from Orange Vale, California
Laraine- I just bought a Cox's Orange Pippin. Your local nursery can order it from Dave Wilson Nursery, a wholesale nursery in central Cal.
26 Jan 08 20:14 frances pologiorgi from athens,greece
I grew up in Sussex, England inthe 50's and always remembered the exquisite Cox's orange pipins my grandfather grew{yes,the seeds rattled] A few years ago in England I bought some so-called Cox's,but there was no comparison,neither in appearance or flavour. There is however a very tasty Greek variety traditionally from Tripolis,with an similar uneven,rough appearance. It seems that the growers who develop "attractive"apples for the supermarkets are unable to combine looks with flavour.
25 Jan 08 20:03 Chris Sanford from Long Island, NY, USA
I grew up on a farm in Somerset, England and we had four or five orchards the apples of which were never picked. We also had just three Cox's Orange Pippin trees in the kitchen garden which were always picked bare for the house! One great apple it was, and you never wanted anything else. I'd love to find out if same can be grown in Long Island, NY which lately has had fairly mild Winters but Summers are fairly hot. Does anyone know if this apple tree is wind/soil/temperature sensitive (or a combo?) I had no idea they were prone to disease or tricky to grow. Also where can I get starter trees/cuttings in NE US? Also, any basic growing "do's" and "don'ts would be much appreciated?"
21 Jan 08 23:59 Enid Hughes from Aldershot, UK
Cox's are my favourites,(except for lovely Ashmead's Kernel, which don't come into the equation because they are hardly ever grown commercially) We are lucky, we have a Cox's tree--- Pick your Cox's when they come easily into your hand---if they don't give way at the lightest twist, they're not ready!
31 Dec 07 09:59 laraine from california
I'm from England originally and cox's apples were my favourite. I guess we could try and find a nursery that perhaps owns the root stock ? I have never ever heard them called orange pipin's, nor have I ever seen a cox's apple in a supermarket here,or in the midwest where I had lived many years ago, oh well I guess I have to make do with Braeburn and Gala apples
16 Dec 07 02:21 Eleanor from North of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I have been looking for orange pippens in Ontario. Are they available anywhere near here?
22 Nov 07 15:43 Abner J. Schlabach from So. Royalton, Vermont
Steve Parkes asked about Cox apples in Vt. I recently purchased some from Scott Farm who have a Dummerston, Vt address but are, in fact, near Brattleboro. There's a very nice article about them at http://www.theheartofnewengland.com/Heirloom- Apples.html I love old varieties of apples and Scott Farm has a wide range of them. Poverty Lane Orchard just across the river in Lebanon, NH has one tree of Cox. In both cases I would call regarding availability before driving there. If you wish you may contact me directly at AV62@Localnet.com.
21 Nov 07 22:35 Steve Parkes from Vermont
Abner. Can you contact me with details on where to find them in Vermont? My family were given a box of them for Christmas in England in the early 70's.
05 Nov 07 19:12 Abner J. Schlabach from Vermont, USA
I agree that the flavor of the Cox is unsurpassed, as is the aroma. I have lived in London where I often purchased Cox apples. Also in Pennsylvania USA where I previously lived I had a Cox tree. Now in Vermont I can purchase them from two different specialty orchards. The ones I currently have do indeed have seeds that rattle. I have never heard that with any other apple. The Cox apples we have here may or may not be precisely like the English one but they're very close.
01 Nov 07 12:30 James Rose from Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Do you have any info on where I might find this apple in this area?
20 Oct 07 12:35 Stewart Hobbs from Nasilsea Somerset
Is the coxs orange pippin the same as a coxs orange. My friend says they are different true or false? [OP: They are the same]
20 Oct 07 02:18 Debbie Xochimitl from Provo, Utah, USA
I adore pippin apples but cannot purchase them here. I would like to grow them, but don't know if I can. Is there anywhere that I can go for information?
18 Oct 07 20:49 Daffy from Michigan, USA
I remember my father talking about this apple variety and he had looked for it up until his death. Afterwhich I took the task of finding it just by visiting various growers and poking around. After a nearly 40 year quest between us, I finally located it. It is everything my father said it was and more. Wow, so flavorful with wonderful hits of orange. Do anyone know where I can get a tree. I have been saving seeds from the bushel of apples I bought, but know it will take far too long to wait and enjoy this apple variety again! You help is apprecaited. daffyslanding@yahoo.com
18 Oct 07 19:38 jack Conner from Castro Valley, CA, USA
A friend imported a dwarf Cox's in 1968 and gave me a twig. I have been growing it ever since. The fruit is ugly, often with corking at the stem end, but its flavor is incomparable. Some years ago, coming out of the British Museum, I crossed the street and found the Museum Pub, with a little old lady standing beside a display of her pies, made that morning with apples from her son's orchard in Kent: Cox's Orange Pippin. Best pie I ever ate.
17 Oct 07 22:17 julie bezant from West Wales, UK
I'm sure the modern cox isn't the true, traditonal one of my childhood. A proper cox has a superb taste, but the imported, supermarket "cox's" are imposters. They don't look like a cox's orange and they don't taste like one either.
02 Oct 07 23:46 Molly from Chicago, IL
Apples on Oak in Joliet, IL is an hobbyist's orchard that has over 100 varieties of apple. You can pick your own, but it is getting late, and they don't have many apples left. The owner sold me an apple he described as "Cox-like," and it is indeed delicious and aromatic. I don't think I've ever had a more flavorful apple.
01 Oct 07 02:36 Roslyn Stempel from Illinois, USA
I used to enjoy Cox's orange pippins while living in the state of Michigan, but after moving to Illinois I was unable to find them in any farmer's markets here -- most market apple dealers had never even heard of them. Are they available anywhere here?
20 Sep 07 23:43 cornet from Vancouver-Canada
I have a 3yr old tree that is now giving us some super good looking apples. I would love to know When we can start to pick them...my mouth is watering already in anticipation ;)
16 Sep 07 17:33 Basil LONGY from Isle of Wight, UK
The above description of the Cox is accurate. I have a tree which is a derivative and has in some years given me delicious aromatic fruit. But I have difficulty knowing when to pick as birds seem to like them too and fruit picked too early is too tart and dense to be edible. How should I know the point of ripeness?
12 Sep 07 15:12 Lyn from Hertfordshire, England
I stumbled across some cox's orange pippins, in garden centre in Royston , my husband and i had actually given up trying to locate them .We were immediatley transported back about 20, 30 years , this is what apples should be like , please try to grow more for us .they are the best apple ever
Your comments
Have you tasted this variety ? Do you agree or disagree with our tasting notes ? Enter your comments below. Please make sure you enter your name and a valid email address. Your name, but not your email address, may be published on this website.
