Cambridgeshire has a long tradition of fruit-growing, including extensive apple orchards, and the Chivers family started a highly successful jam-making factory at Histon near Cambridge in the late 19th century, using fruit from nearby orchards. The Chivers brand is now part of Premier Foods, and jam production still continues at Histon.
In the 1920s one of the family, Stephen Chivers, started to develop his own apple varieties, of which Chivers' Delight was the most successful. Unfortunately there is little information on the parentage of this lovely apple, although the flattened shape and sweet flavour hint at Cox's Orange Pippin.
Chivers' Delight was popular in the first half of the 20th century but has since fallen out of favour. It is a medium-sized apple, crisp, with a sweet but well-balanced flavour. Definitely worth trying if you manage to find any - this is an excellent apple.
Chivers Delight apple identification images
All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.
USDA identification images for Chivers Delight
The identification paintings in the USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection span the years 1886 to 1942.
Citation: U.S. Department of Agriculture Pomological Watercolor Collection. Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD 20705.
Visitor reviews
- 30 Nov 2024A great apple for baking.
- 09 Feb 2024Planted in shady sheltered spot in wet Westmorland in 2018 and soon cropped with good sized apples that keep well in cool garage or fridge. Very good, sweet flavour, soft crunch, moderate juice. My favourite eater of three varieties planted together. For a dessert apple, flexible in cooking with meat, in salads and for puddings.
- 05 Nov 2011 United KingdomLarge, yellow-green fruits with a blush, currently being sold by Co-op. Very tasty, but not terribly distinctive. Still, it's good to see these old varieties making a comeback.
- 03 Nov 2011 United KingdomJust got some of these from the Co-Op. Very nice indeed. Well worth a try.
- 30 Jun 2010 AustraliaI am a descendant of one of the Chivers brothers that was born in Histon and came out here in 1840 to live. Settled and had apple orchards in Templestowe Victoria. I am amazed at the "apple growing" connection!
- 09 Nov 2009 GERMANY, GermanyHallo Rainer ! Ich möchte gerne ein CHIVERS Apfelbaum für mein Garten. Kannst du mir helfen ? Währe nett mfg D.Chivers
- 03 Dec 2008 NOTTINGHAMSHIRE, United KingdomI have just had my big old apple tree identified as Chiver's...I agree with previous comments...fruit very waxy, tree never fails to crop well but I feel my tree could be in a bit warmer location as in cool autumns flavour do not often develop to it's best...
- 12 Oct 2008 OXFORD, United KingdomOur apple tree was identified as a Chivers Delight by an expert at Waterperry Gardens. The house was built in 1935, I assume the tree was planted at about that time, though it could predate the house. The skin can be over waxy. It is tolerant of shading and contines to fruit well. Very pleasant fresh, with a cidery aroma. Can become dry and fluffy with age, I would not say it is a good keeper. Also good stewed.
- 12 Oct 2008 OXON, United KingdomThis is definitely on the list of apples I could not do without: great flavour (even after a poor sunless summer) and a good cropper. Neat upright grower as well, easily pruned to shape. 10/10 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
- 05 Aug 2008 NORTH DORSET, United KingdomA wonderful apple which we planted seven years ago and which has never failed to thrill. A nicely shaped, disease resistant tree which always crops well. The fruit is delicious and a good keeper and we are already looking forward to the next harvest. I couldn't recommend it too highly!
Tree register
United States
- Jady Morelli in Allendale, MI
United Kingdom
- Reach Community Orchard in Cambridge,
- Reach Community Orchard in Cambridge,
- Reach Community Orchard in Cambridge,
- Bill Barker And Sharon Cherry in LEICESTERSHIRE
- Billy Auger in Hopton Wafers, SHROPSHIRE
- Dave Bull in Derby, DERBYSHIRE
- David Rowe in KIRKWALL, ORKNEY
- Graham Henderson in Scunthorpe, NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE
- Joseph Wallder in Esher, SURREY
- Julia Nelki in Prenton, MERSEYSIDE
- Malcolm Whitmore in Loughborough, LEICS
- Mark in Chippenham, WILTS
- Mark in Chippenham, WILTS
- Martin A Smith in Petersfield, HAMPSHIRE
- Richard Borrie in York, YORKSHIRE
- Sue Fawcett in Pocklington, York, YORKSHIRE
- Sue Jarvis in Worcester, WORCESTERSHIRE
- Suzanne Goss in Hailsham, EAST SUSSEX
Spring blossom records for this variety
2018 season
- 7th May 2018 - tree owned by Bill in , United Kingdom
2017 season
- 4th May 2017 - tree owned by Bill in , United Kingdom
2016 season
- 13th May 2016 - tree owned by Bill in , United Kingdom
2014 season
- 28th April 2014 - tree owned by Bill in , United Kingdom
2012 season
- 7th May 2012 - tree owned by Richard in York, United Kingdom
2010 season
- 15th May 2010 - tree owned by Richard in York, United Kingdom
Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.
Harvest records for this variety
2020 season
- 3rd week October 2020 - tree owned by Dave in Derby, United Kingdom
2016 season
- 2nd week October 2016 - tree owned by Bill in , United Kingdom
2014 season
- 2nd week October 2014 - tree owned by Bill in , United Kingdom
2012 season
- 2nd week September 2012 - tree owned by Richard in York, United Kingdom
2009 season
- 1st week October 2009 - tree owned by Richard in York, United Kingdom
Origins
- Species: Malus domestica - Apple
- Parentage: Unknown, might be Cox
- Originates from: England, United Kingdom
- Introduced: 1920
- UK National Fruit Collection accession: 1979-157
Identification
- Country of origin: United Kingdom
- Period of origin: 1900 - 1949
- Fruit colour: Orange flush
- Leaf colour: Green
- Popularity: Best sellers
- Annual cycle: Deciduous
- Fruit size: Average
Using
- Picking season: Late
- Keeping (of fruit): 3 months or more
- Flavour quality: Very good
- Flavour style (apples): Sweet/Sharp
- Flavour style (apples): Aromatic
- Discoloration of fruit: No discoloration (Good for drying)
- Cropping: Good
- Fruit persistence: Normal ripening
- Food uses: Juice
- Picking month: October
- Picking period: early October
- Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators
Growing
- Gardening skill: Average
- Flowering group: 4
- Pollinating others: Average
- Ploidy: Diploid
- Vigour: Average vigour
- Bearing regularity: Regular
- Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
- Attractive features: Attractive tree / plant
- Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
- Sunlight: Prefers full sun
Climate
- Climate suitability: Temperate climates
- Cold-hardiness: Cold-hardy
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)
Other qualities
- Disease resistance: Average
Where to buy trees
The following tree nurseries offer Chivers Delight apple trees for sale:
- Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (UK) United Kingdom
Chivers Delight apple trees
Where to buy fresh fruit
The following orchards grow Chivers Delight:
United Kingdom
England - midlands
- Walsgrove Farm, Worcester