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
Calville Blanc (1598)
Court Pendu Plat (England, 1613)
Devonshire Quarrenden (England, 1678)
Foxwhelp (England, 1664)
Gravenstein (Italy, before 1669)
Lady (France, 1628)
Old Nonpareil (England, mid 1500's)
Old Pearmain (England, circa 1200)
Rambour Franc (France, 1535)
Rhode Island Greening (Rhode Island, 1650)
Roxbury Russet (Massachusetts, 1649)
Scarlet Crofton (Ireland, 1500's)
Pears
Barland (England, 1600)
Belle Angevine (England, 1690)
Bergamote d'Ete (1628)
Besi d'Hery (France, about 1598)
Besi de La Motte (France, 1685)
Beurre d'Angleterre (England, 1628)
Beurre Gris (France, 1650)
Black Worcester (England, 1575)
Bon Chretien d'Hiver (Italy, 1495)
Citron de Carmes (France, 1628)
Doyenne d'Alecon (France, 1600)
Epargne (France, 1629)
Guenette (1675)
Messire Jean (France, 1550)
Petit Blanquet (France, 1500)
Petit Muscat (France, 1530)
Red Pear (England, 1500)
Rousselet de Reims (origin uncertain)
Sanguinole (Germany, 1500)
Spina Carpi (Italy, 1575)
Sucre Verte (France, 1598)
Verte Longue d'Automne (France, 1500)
Plums
Shropshire Damson (England, 17th c.)
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