Fiesta (Red Pippin) Apple

Fiesta, also known as Red Pippin, is a contemporary English apple variety developed in the 1970s at the East Malling Research Station in Kent, offering a commendable alternative to the classic Cox's Orange Pippin. Created through a cross with Idared, a 1940s American apple closely related to Cox, Fiesta inherits an appealing flavour profile, though slightly lacking in depth compared to Cox. With a medium size and captivating flecked red and orange coloration over yellow, Fiesta's crisp texture makes it more accessible than Cox, and its juiciness is ideal for homemade apple juice.

The predominantly sweet flavour of Fiesta, reminiscent of Cox, with a touch of acidity, positions it as a good sweet apple, and in optimal conditions, it can rival the excellence of Cox's Orange Pippin, becoming truly exceptional. Inheriting the storage longevity of its Idared parent, Fiesta lasts well into the following spring in a basic cold store, remaining enjoyable to eat fresh.

Fiesta excels as an excellent garden variety in most parts of the UK, offering a hassle-free alternative to the more demanding cultivation of Cox. However, its peculiar straggly growth pattern, leaning sideways rather than vertically, makes it unsuitable as a specimen tree. Despite this, for gardeners seeking a convenient and rewarding Cox-style apple, Fiesta stands out, excelling in both ease of cultivation and flavor quality.