Medieval Fruit Varieties
Question: Was the fruit in the middle ages the same as it is now?
It is easy to find recipes using fruit in medieval cookbooks. References to fruits like apples, pears, plums, and grapes are readily apparent. But were the apples they ate then the same as those we have now? Some varieties, like Red Delicious, are clearly modern, but others with a long history can be difficult to document.
The fruit varieties listed below have been documented as existing before 1700. Where possible, a nursery that sells the variety is provded.
As more thorough documentation for dates of origin become available, it will be posted here.
Apples
| 1200 | Chataignier (France) |
| ~1200 | Old Pearmain (England) |
| 13th c. | Coeur de Boeuf (France) |
| 14th c. | Court Pendu Gris (France) |
| 1535 | Rambour Franc (France) |
| 1598 | Calville Blanc |
| 16th c. | Ananas Reinette (France) |
| 16th c. | Autumn Pearmain (England) |
| 1600 | Calville Rouge d'Hiver (France) |
| 16th c. | Old Nonpareil (England) |
| 16th c. | Scarlet Crofton (Ireland) |
| 1608 | Fenouillet Gris (France) |
| 1613 | Court Pendu (France) |
| 1613 | Court Pendu Plat (England) |
| 1613 | Court Pendu Rose (France) |
| 1628 | Lady (France) |
| 1649 | Roxbury Russet (Massachusetts) |
| 1650 | Rhode Island Greening (Rhode Island) |
| 1655 | Red Joaneting (England) |
| 1664 | Foxwhelp (England) |
| 1665 | Bridgewater Pippin (England) |
| 1665 | Royale d'Angleterre (France) |
| 1669 | Gravenstein (Italy) |
| 1670 | Calville Rouge d'Automne (France) |
| 1678 | Devonshire Quarrenden (England) |
| 17th c. | Broad-Eyed Pippin (England) |
| 17th c. | Catshead (England) |
| 17th c. | Colonel Vaughan (England) |
| 17th c. | Lemon Pippin (England) |
| 17th c. | Pigeon de Jerusalem (France) |
| 450 | Decio (England) |
Cherries
| 16th c. | English Morello (England) |
| 17th c. | Montmorency (France) |
Medlars
| ? | Breda Giant (Netherlands) |
| ? | Royal Medlar (England) |
Peaches
| 17th c. | Bourdine (France) |
Pears
| 1495 | Bon Chretien d'Hiver (Italy) |
| 1500 | Petit Blanquet (France) |
| 1500 | Red Pear (England) |
| 1500 | Sanguinole (Germany) |
| 1500 | Verte Longue d'Automne (France) |
| 1530 | Petit Muscat (France) |
| 1536 | Bergamote d'Automne |
| 1550 | Messire Jean (France) |
| 1559 | White Doyenne (Italy) |
| 1575 | Black Worcester (England) |
| 1575 | Spina Carpi (Italy) |
| ~1598 | Besi d'Hery (France) |
| 1598 | Sucre Verte (France) |
| 1600 | Barland (England) |
| 1600 | Doyenne d'Alecon (France) |
| ~1600 | Thorn (England) |
| 1628 | Bergamote d'Ete |
| 1628 | Beurre d'Angleterre (England) |
| 1628 | Citron de Carmes (France) |
| 1629 | Epargne (France) |
| 1650 | Beurre Gris (France) |
| 1665 | Chaumontel (France) |
| 1675 | Guenette |
| 1685 | Besi de La Motte (France) |
| 1690 | Belle Angevine (England) |
| 1690 | Pound (England) |
| 17th c. | Forelle (Germany) |
| 1700 | Taynton Squash (England) |
| ? | Rousselet de Reims (France?) |
Plums
| 1582 | Violet Perdrigon (England) |
| 1699 | Saint Catherine (France) |
| 17th c. | Shropshire Damson (England) |
Strawberries
| 15th c. | Woodland Strawberry (Europe) |