The Royal Acid is also called English Bellefleur. This old apple variety originally comes from the Betuwe. The first mention of this apple dates back to the early twentieth century. In 1928 it is stated that Royal acid was found in an orchard in the Betuwe village of Lienden. This apple variety is believed to have originated as a natural seedling. The Betuwe and the Tielerwaard were the only places in perhaps the whole world. The tree is notable for its slow growth, but grows tall over the years. The English Bellefleur does best on clay soil and is very easy as a standard tree. The Royal Acid is not very sensitive to night frost, because it is a late bloomer. The apples can be stored until the end of February. A good storage place is a dark, not too dry cellar.
The Betuwe and apple varieties
The Betuwe has been the fruit garden of the Netherlands for years. The older generation in particular will still be able to recall the geography lesson with photos of beautiful tall trees in the spring. Fruit trees in full bloom. Sheep grazing between the trees and cheerfully jumping lambs. Over the years, that image has given way to the economically more attractive low pedigrees with commercial apples, for example Elstar (also a real Betuwe product) and Jonagold. The same has of course happened with pear cultivation. Precisely now that most orchards consist of low pedigrees, the desire for standard trees and the cultivation of varieties that are not for sale in the supermarkets is starting again. Private individuals can sponsor or adopt standard trees, In Ochten it is National Fruit Park Ochten landscaped with various types old fruit varieties. Everywhere there is a search for old apple varieties, of which many did not even know they existed. This way is already a number rare copies preserved and are again grown up.
The Royal Acid or English Bellefleur
The Koningsic acid is also a real Betuwe apple. This dates from about 1840. The first mention of the discovery of the Royal Acid is made in an orchard in the town of Lienden. It is widely believed that this apple variety originated as a natural seedling. The Betuwe and the Tielerwaard were the only places in perhaps the whole world. The Royal Acid is not spread anywhere abroad. However, dissemination did take place in the IJssel region, As the crow flies, not far from the Betuwe and Tielerwaard. Later still, the apple also appeared in other regions of our country.
Characteristics of the Royal Acid
Source: Sven Teschke, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA-2.0)
- The tree is notable for its slow growth, but grows tall over the years.
- The tree does best on clay soil.
- It is a late bloomer which has the advantage that the Royal Acid is not very sensitive to night frost and is very easy to keep as a standard tree.
- The Royal Acid is very easy to prune.
- The variety is self-pollinating and gets almost all the way red apples of medium size.
- These apples are ripe for picking in mid-October, but must be stored until the end of November for as vegetable apple to serve.
- For use as eating apple it should remain there longer, but that’s no problem, because the Royal Acid or English Bellefleur can be kept in a cool room until the end of February.
Notary’s apple: a Betuwe-grown apple
Cultivated in the second half of the last century by notary, Joh. H. Th. W. van den Ham in Lunteren.
The variety was mainly grown in Utrecht and Betuwe.
Characteristics of the Notarisappel
- Shape of the apple: Fairly large and slightly irregular. It is higher than it is wide.
- After lying down for a while, this apple gets a greasy skin.
- Color: Light green. When ripe yellow-green with light-red striped blush.
- Properties: Sensitive to ?? dot ?? (corky dots) and mildly for scabies.
- Pollination: Not self-pollinating. Always plant with other varieties that can act as pollinators.
- Taste: The flesh is firm, juicy, aromatic and slightly sour.
- Picking time: Early October.
- Usage time: October ?? November.
- Storage: No longer than the end of November.
- Application: Particularly tasty eating apple with aroma of Princesse Noble.
- Also good for applesauce.
