Ribston Pippin Cider Apple

Overview

Perhaps the most famous apple variety from Yorkshire, England, Ribston Pippin was a Victorian favorite prized for its strong, aromatic flavor. It remains a standout for fresh eating and cider, with a rich history and excellent character.

Luke’s 2023 Tasting Notes (Missoula Harvest)

“Honey flavor with hints of grape. Dense apple with an interesting woody texture that makes you continually want more. Decent acidity and good sweetness. Medium thickness in terms of the skin.”

This is one of our favorite apples for fresh eating.

Flavor & Uses

Flavor profile: Honeyed, with subtle grape notes; aromatic and complex

Texture: Dense with a unique, slightly woody bite

Skin: Yellow, flushed orange, streaked red, with russeting at the base and apex

Best after: A month or so of storage to reach full flavor

Uses: Excellent for fresh eating, culinary applications, and sweet-sharp hard or soft cider

Heritage & Parentage

Ribston Pippin is most likely the parent of Cox's Orange Pippin, one of the world’s most famous apple varieties. It’s a classic example of English heirloom apples bred for complexity and depth of flavor.

Cold Hardiness & Growing Conditions

• Fairly hardy, but not among our most cold-hardy apples

• Likely hardy to about -40°F, but may struggle in parts of Eastern Montana where temperatures drop below that

• Grafted onto Bud 118, a super-hardy semi-dwarf rootstock, which adds resilience and size control

Image Credit

Image courtesy of Markus Hagenlocher under CC 3.0.