| 'Slack-ma-Girdle' | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Species | Malus domestica |
| Marketing names | Woodbine |
| Origin |  England |
Slack-ma-Girdle is an old variety of cider apple formerly widely grown in the South-West of England. It is one of a group of similar and closely related varieties all often known by the name "Woodbine". [1]
Slack-ma-Girdle is most often found in orchards in Devon, where it probably originated, though it was also planted in southern Somerset, Dorset and elsewhere. The apple's unusual name, like that of several other cider apples, has been suggested as referring to the drink's effect on the digestive system. [2]
The tree itself is large when fully grown and vigorous, with a spreading habit. The fruit tends to have a flattened shape, greenish yellow skin, and a striped red flush which often has a distinctive bluish tinge. [3] Like many other Devon varieties, it is classed as a "sweet" type in the standard classification of cider apples, being low in tannin and acid.
A very similar variety, "Woodbine" or "Rice's Jersey", is sometimes described as synonymous with Slack-ma-Girdle, but the former can be distinguished by the tree's less compact habit: both varieties produce a cider with a distinctive woody aftertaste. [4] Hogg was not impressed with Slack-ma-Girdle's vintage qualities, stating that it had "not much merit" as a cider apple. [5] It was also used for culinary purposes, and was reputed to make good jam. [6]
Perry, also known as pear cider, is an alcoholic beverage made from fermented pears, traditionally the perry pear. It has been common for centuries in England, particularly in Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, and Worcestershire. It is also made in parts of South Wales and France, especially Normandy and Anjou, and in Commonwealth countries such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Cider apples are a group of apple cultivars grown for their use in the production of cider. Cider apples are distinguished from "cookers" and "eaters", or dessert apples, by their bitterness or dryness of flavour, qualities which make the fruit unpalatable but can be useful in cidermaking. Some apples are considered to occupy more than one category.
Thatchers Cider is a family-owned cider maker in Sandford, North Somerset, England.
The Kingston Black, also known as Black Taunton, is a cultivar of apple originating from the United Kingdom and used in making cider. The name of the cultivar comes from the apples' dark red or purplish skin, though despite the name, the fruit does not have a black hue.
'Dabinett' is an apple cultivar, customarily used in Somerset for making cider.
'Brown Snout' is a 19th-century cultivar of cider apple originating in Herefordshire in the United Kingdom, though now grown in other counties and parts of the world.
The Foxwhelp is a very old cider apple cultivar, originating in the west Midlands of England.
The Redstreak, also spelt Redstrake, Red Streak or Red-streak, is or was a very old variety of cider apple formerly commonly planted in England.
The Hangdown, also known as Hangydown, Horner, or the Pocket Apple, is a traditional variety of cider apple grown mostly in Somerset and North Devon.
'Tom Putt' is a traditional variety of dual purpose apple, often used as a cider apple, originating in Devon. It was also known as Ploughman, Coalbrook, Marrowbone, Thomas Jeffreys and by many other local names.
Crimson King, also known as John Toucher's or the Bewley Down Pippin, is a traditional cider apple cultivar originating in Somerset.
Dufflin is an old variety of cider apple from the County of Cornwall, England. It was included in orchard trials by Long Ashton Research Station in 1957.
The Woodcock was one of the oldest described English varieties of cider apple. It originated in the West of England in the counties of Herefordshire and Gloucestershire.
Ellis Bitter, also called Ellis's Bitter or Ellis's Bitter-Sweet, is an English cider apple originating in Devon, but now widely planted across the west of England.
The 'Chisel Jersey' is a cultivar of cider apple originating in Somerset.
Michelin is a variety of cider apple commonly grown in commercial orchards in the United Kingdom, although originating in France.
Yarlington Mill is a traditional cider apple cultivar originating from the village of Yarlington, in the North Cadbury area of Somerset, England.
Major is a cider apple cultivar first grown in the United Kingdom in the area of Devon and Somerset.
Cap of Liberty, also known by the name Red Soldiers or Bloody Soldier, is a traditional cider apple cultivar originating in the Martock area of central Somerset.
The Devonshire Quarrenden is a dessert apple cultivar historically grown and probably originating in England, although it has also been suggested as originating in France. A variety of local names and spellings, including "Red Quarrenden", "Quarrington", "Quarender", and the "Sack Apple", have been recorded in the past.
