Peasgood’s Nonsuch

Peasgood’s Nonsuch is a good-looking traditional English cooking apple from the Victorian era. As the name suggests, it was raised by Mrs Peasgood of Stamford, Lincolnshire – probably in the middle of the 19th century. The term “Nonsuch” sounds rather derogatory, but it is a mis-translation of the French “sans-pareil” or “non-pareil”, and actually means “un-surpassed”.

The apples ripen mid-season and can be kept for a few weeks, filling the gap before the late-season cooking apples become available.

Peasgood’s Nonsuch has all the qualities expected in a traditional English cooker – large size, plenty of juice, and a sharp tangy flavour. The coarse light flesh readily cooks down to a puree – regarded as a desirable feature in English cookery.