With Hallowe’en fast approaching, the Co-operative Food has revealed the results of research to find which British apple is the best for dooking.
Commissioned by the community retailer, the study made a splash with students at the Co-operative Academy of Leeds who concluded that the Spartan apple pipped the Royal Gala (2nd) and Cox’s Orange Pippin (3rd) to be awarded the “best for bobbing” title.
Almost 200 students got their teeth into a series of experiments designed to put popular British seasonal varieties to the test. Students compared attributes considered core to bobbing performance by pressure testing the softness of the flesh and considering the size, shape, buoyancy, density and stability of the fruit in the water.
The overall winner, Spartan – which was introduced into the UK in the mid-1930’s and whose sweet flavour makes it a popular choice as a cooking or dessert apple – will be displayed as “best for bobbing” in selected Co-operative food stores.
Christina McGhie, Subject Leader for Science at the Co-operative Academy of Leeds, who supervised the research, said: “There are pupils from around 80 different cultures and countries at the school, some who had never experienced the traditional game of apple bobbing, however all of them were enthralled by the study, taking into account all of the variables and declaring the Spartan to be best for bobbing.
Sarah Eldridge, the Co-op’s apple buyer, said: “Various techniques were displayed, making waves in the bowl and pushing the apple to edge of the water however, it was found that the key to apple bobbing success lies with the choice of apple and with its soft flesh, medium size and buoyancy, the Spartan dessert apple enjoyed the sweet taste of victory.”
