A mild spring and lots of sunshine has meant the apple season has arrived nearly a month early. Orchards around the region are already picking early croppers like Discovery and Bramley and say the fruit is crunchy and full of taste.
We grow around 2300 varieties of apple in the UK and the biggest seller is the Gala. However, 70% of the apples we buy are imported and 80% of those we do grow are sent to supermarkets.
Growers say we should try to eat locally and seasonally if at all possible.
Despite the fact that Britain produces some of the best known varieties, we eat fewer apples, per head, than any other country in Europe.
