Luton garden tree yields discovery of new apple variety

A previously unknown apple variety has been identified from a decades-old tree located in a back garden on Clarendon Road in Luton. The discovery occurred in 2023 following the donation of surplus fruit from a tree estimated to be between 70 and 90 years old.

Testing conducted by the National Institute of Agricultural Botany in Cambridge compared the fruit against thousands of UK and European varieties, confirming it as a new variety. DNA analysis suggests the probable parent varieties are the 19th-century apples Newton Wonder and James Grieve.

Konni Deppe, founder of Luton Orchards, noted the apple is excellent for making purée, with a flavor profile that shifts from sharp to lovely and eventually becomes slightly wine-like as it overripens. While the tree's origins remain a local mystery, Luton Orchards has invited the public to vote on potential names for the new variety, including ‘Clarendon Blush’ and ‘Luton Wonder’.