The Co-operative Food has conducted research to find which is the best British apple for bobbing.
Commissioned by the community retailer, the study made a splash with students at the Co-operative Academy of Leeds who carried out.
They concluded that the Spartan apple pipped the Royal Gala (2nd) and Cox’s Orange Pippin (3rd) to be awarded the 'best for bobbing' title.
Led by the Academy’s head of science, Christina McGhie, around 200 Year 8, 9, and 10 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-1930s 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 across the UK.
Sarah Eldridge, The Co-op’s apple buyer, said: “The meticulous way in which students at the Co-operative Academy of Leeds went about the research was fantastic. Bringing an apple to school perhaps conjures up thoughts of technology among many pupils these days and, in an interesting twist, the Spartan is derived from the McIntosh apple.
“The Co-op works with growers and suppliers to ensure great tasting fresh produce in our stores and, with so many people enjoying apple bobbing at Hallowe’en, we were all keen to establish the best home-grown variety for this quintessentially British game.
“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.”
Adrian Barlow, chief executive of English Apples & Pears, said: “This is a great initiative from The Co-op, as the more we can engage and encourage young people, and consumers generally, to connect with healthy, fresh produce, the better.
'While there are many superb British varieties available at this time of the year – some old, some new – the Spartan has long been popular for bobbing. The findings reaffirm that the Spartan apple really is at its best around Halloween with the combination of its sweet, clean and crisp taste and, just the right amount of juice, making it a popular choice.”
The Co-op recently announced a £125 million investment in quality, freshness and, lowering the price of everyday essentials - a move which has included pruning the price of over 100 lines of fresh fruit and vegetables, and the introduction of revolving offers on popular produce called 'fresh three'.
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