"I still say - chomp! - you can't beat a Russet for eating and a Bramley for cooking."


I'd agree about the Bramley (although James Griev is excellent and quite a bit earlier). As for eating, I love Russets but I'm currently chompping on a D'Arcey Spice which is very nice, and for keeping I love Kidd's Orange Red. I grow all of these (and more) in a quite small orchard that I planted 8 years ago and is incredibly productive. The secret to preserving old varieties of apples is to plant some yourself (community orchards anyone?).