Question: Was the fruit in the middle ages the same as it is now?
It is easy to find recipes using fruit in medieval cookbooks. References to fruits like apples, pears, plums, and grapes are readily apparent. But were the apples they ate then the same as those we have now? Some varieties, like Red Delicious, are clearly modern, but others with a long history can be difficult to document.
The fruit varieties listed below have been documented as existing before 1700. Where possible, a nursery that sells the variety is provded.
As more thorough documentation for dates of origin become available, it will be posted here.
Apples
| ~1200 | Old Pearmain (England) |
| 1535 | Rambour Franc (France) |
| 1598 | Calville Blanc |
| 16th c. | Old Nonpareil (England) |
| 16th c. | Scarlet Crofton (Ireland) |
| 1608 | Fenouillet Gris (France) |
| 1613 | Court Pendu Plat (England) |
| 1628 | Lady (France) |
| 1649 | Roxbury Russet (Massachusetts) |
| 1650 | Rhode Island Greening (Rhode Island) |
| 1655 | Red Joaneting (England) |
| 1664 | Foxwhelp (England) |
| 1665 | Royale d'Angleterre (France) |
| 1669 | Gravenstein (Italy) |
| 1678 | Devonshire Quarrenden (England) |
| 17th c. | Lemon Pippin (England) |
| 17th c. | Pigeonnet Rouge (France) |
Pears
| 1495 | Bon Chretien d'Hiver (Italy) |
| 1500 | Petit Blanquet (France) |
| 1500 | Red Pear (England) |
| 1500 | Sanguinole (Germany) |
| 1500 | Verte Longue d'Automne (France) |
| 1530 | Petit Muscat (France) |
| 1536 | Bergamote d'Automne |
| 1550 | Messire Jean (France) |
| 1575 | Black Worcester (England) |
| 1575 | Spina Carpi (Italy) |
| ~1598 | Besi d'Hery (France) |
| 1598 | Sucre Verte (France) |
| 1600 | Barland (England) |
| 1600 | Doyenne d'Alecon (France) |
| ~1600 | Thorn (England) |
| 1628 | Bergamote d'Ete |
| 1628 | Beurre d'Angleterre (England) |
| 1628 | Citron de Carmes (France) |
| 1629 | Epargne (France) |
| 1650 | Beurre Gris (France) |
| 1675 | Guenette |
| 1685 | Besi de La Motte (France) |
| 1690 | Belle Angevine (England) |
| 1690 | Pound (England) |
| 1700 | Taynton Squash (England) |
| ? | Rousselet de Reims (France?) |
Plums
| 17th c. | Shropshire Damson (England) |
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