Tesco has received the first of the season's English Cox, delivered last Friday to its Lunsford Park store on the edge of Maidstone.
Store manager Derek Browgham praised the quality and maturity of the fruit, which had been harvested and graded that morning just 10 miles away at Clockhouse Farm, Coxheath.
"It is one of the most popular apple varieties we sell," Browgham explained. "It also reflects the importance that Tesco places on providing its customers with local produce."
Grower Robert Pascall runs the family business, started over 60 years ago, and began to plant Cox in the 90s because of the demand. He currently has 26 hectares among his variety range.
"Cox exemplifies the best of traditional English varieties, provided it is grown well and picked with full maturity," he added.
In this area of West Kent, growing conditions on the farm have been ideal with the early blossom period giving a long growing season which adds to the flavour and size. Fruit has also been colouring up well in the last few weeks.
"The result is that we have been confidently able to harvest the first fully mature apples a week earlier than last year, after ensuring that they meet the right levels of sugar/starch balance," he added.
"Initial results also promise well when they go into store, giving our customers continuity of supply through until the spring."
Martin de la Fuente, Tesco's senior fruit buyer added: "Tesco is once again championing the sales of English apples and pears with more Tesco stores than ever stocking English apples and pears.
"We've had a great start with our early varieties and will bring even more old and ancient varieties to our customers through the Heritage apple brand.
"Our growers have told us they are delighted with the support they have already seen from us. The season has now kicked off in earnest with traditional Cox and we are confident that this year we will achieve our target of doubling our sales of English apples and pears."
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