According to recent Kantar research, the volume of Bramley apple sales in Ireland reached 4,900 tonnes in the year to September 2014, a year on year increase of 10%. The figures were announced as part of National Bramley Week, which runs from the 10th to the 16th of November and celebrates the Bramley Apple. Bramleys are a speciality of Ireland and Britain as they are not grown commercially anywhere else in the world. In Ireland there are 265 hectares of the crop, with the harvesting of the crop finishing in October.
Con Traas, Irish Apple Growers Association, added “Bramleys are becoming more popular as a versatile delicious fruit that can be used in a variety of recipes. We are hoping to build on the success of last year’s sales, and with a good crop being reaped at the moment we feel we will be able to tap in to the growing consumer demand for a traditional apple with many modern uses.”
Bramleys give a lovely fluffy texture when cooked, and are still mainly used in traditional ways in pies and sauces, although they are also used in stews, curries and stuffings. More modern uses for them would be in muffins, with pancakes, and also with porridge.
For further information on Bramleys log on to www.bestinseason.ie
Source: BordBia – Volume of Bramley Apple Sales in Ireland Increases by 10% From 2013
