November news

The two previous Novembers have hosted the coolest temperatures of the respective  winters. It is early days yet, though a more seasonally chilly and, most importantly damp, few months ahead are top of the wish list just now.

All is now picked , including the Medlars.

Medlars can be consumed raw when fully bletted (squishy) – not the most dignified fruit to eat with several large pips to ‘discard’ during the process. Medlar jelly is the favoured use for the partly bletted , formerly hard brown fruits, sometimes Medlar cheese but this needs more time and patience.They are available throughout November. Recently a request for Medlars came to us with the following suggestion :

‘You may be interested in why I want

them.I went to Frankfurt and they’re

mad about cider (ebbelvoi = apple

wine) and all things appley.

In a restaurant we were served a

medlar in a brandy glass of Calvados.

The medlar was on a cocktail stick, so

you balance it across the rim of

the glass to drain, then eat the Medlar

(which had been in the liquor for some

time!) then drink the Calvados.

Fantastic! Try it!!’

The orchard as a whole has held leaves well with many still very green. With it so dry beneath they will be around for a while before the earthworms make it to the top soil.

First sightings, here,  of Field fares and Redwings have been made at the end of October.

Apples are available probably until the end of February, both at the farm Mon – Sat 8am until dusk, through the Friday delivery scheme around Colchester and , while stocks last, further afield via courier.

Soon be time for Apple tree pruning!!