SWINDON, England, September 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

The National Trust has revealed that despite the UK being a nation of apple lovers, the majority of Britons cannot identify home grown varieties. The charity is urging people to 'take the right bite' this Autumn to make the most of the unique British flavours available and help save UK orchards.

Research* shows that although more than half of respondents (53 per cent) crunch into an apple each week, and almost a quarter (24 per cent) of Britons who eat apples enjoy eating apples because they can buy home grown varieties, 41 per cent of people who eat apples find it difficult to pick out British grown apples.

While British grown varieties such as the Bramley, Cox Orange Pippin and Egremont Russet are recognised by some apple eaters, 61 per cent of adults wrongly guessed that the Granny Smith is grown in the UK when it originates from Australia. Similarly, almost a quarter of people (23 per cent) thought that the Pink Lady is grown in the UK.  

As part of its Food Glorious Food campaign, the National Trust has launched its guide 'How to eat an apple' to encourage people to buy British grown apples and help ensure the UK's apple heritage is preserved.

Fiona Reynolds, Director General at the National Trust said: "British apples are now being harvested and we're spoilt for choice with local flavours.  Whether it's the rich, sweet Cox, or the nutty Egremont Russet we urge everyone to choose and enjoy home grown varieties throughout the day. We need more people to choose British and help protect our orchards. 70 per cent of apples bought in the UK are imported** and this must change."

The survey showed that 68 per cent of people who eat apples enjoy eating them for their juicy, crunchy texture and 40 per cent for their convenience, with nine per cent even going as far as eating the core. Yet 25 per cent of adults are put off apples by them turning brown as they start to eat the flesh and a quarter (25 per cent) of 18-24 year olds do not eat apples at all.

Rachel Brewer, Pommelier for the National Trust, said: "It's been another fantastic year for apples, all thanks to our unusually hot Spring, which has meant apple blossom has been able to set earlier. There's such a variety of UK apples ready for picking at the moment; Early Worcester, is a great eating apple and Tom Putt, perfect for cider, but also a very good juice apple too. My favourite is the Ten Commandments, a bright red, really sweet apple which goes brilliantly with blue cheese and port."

Masterchef co-presenter and apple fan, Gregg Wallace says: "There are hundreds of apple varieties on these beautiful islands of ours, all colours, all shapes, and many flavours. Nothing but an apple has the unique combination of soft sweetness, refreshing acidity and crunch."

Notes to editors

* Research:  All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.  Total sample size was 2000 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between1 to 4 July 2011.  The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).

** Figure from Campaign for Real Farming: http://www.campaignforrealfarming.org/2010/06/community-orchards/

About The National Trust:

The National Trust is the largest non-governmental landowner in the UK, owning approximately 250,000 hectares (660,000 acres) of the great outdoors across England, Wales and Northern Ireland and offers many ideas for days out.

The National Trust also offers a number of ideas for days out, with the charity caring for over 300 of England, Wales and Northern Ireland's greatest historic houses and gardens, 1,000 km of coastline and vast swathes of the country's most beautiful countryside.

PR Contact:
Jeanette Heard
Assistant Press Officer
National Trust
Heelis
Kemble Drive
Swindon
SN2 2NA
+44(0)1793-817706
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk

SOURCE National Trust