News : Co-op to make juice from apples that inspired Newton

The Co-op has bought 1,000 varieties of rare and endangered British apples for use in a new “heritage drink”

By Chris Farnell


The rare apples were purchased from the Brogdale Horticultural Trust. The Trust is in the process of moving its National Fruit Collection to Reading University, and decided to sell three identical collections of its rarer apples in a bid to ensure their survival.

The Co-operative bought one of the three collections 18 months ago, and went to grow and harvest the apples on its own fruit farm in Tillington, Herefordshire.

The collection includes one variety of apple which is identical to, and originated from, the same tree that legendarily dropped its fruit on Isaac Newton’s head, inspiring the theory of gravity.

Juice from these apples, and other rare and endangered species, will be used in The Co-operative Farms Truly Irresistable Tillington 1,000 pressed apple juice, 10,000 bottles of which will be available in selected stores.

Christine Tacon, Managing Director of The Co-operative Farms, said: "These apples offer a real taste of British history, and many of them, like ‘Isaac Newton's Tree', have stories behind them.

"The apples were in danger of disappearing forever, so to be able to turn them into a delicious and unique drink is very exciting. It is a great example of what The Co-operative can achieve, as both the UK's largest farming business and as a major food retailer."

Truly Irresistible Tillington 1,000 apple juice will be sold as part of The Co-operative's "Grown by Us" range, which sells food and drink grown by The Co-operative Farms, or made using ingredients grown by the business.

Today marks the 366th birthday of Isaac Newton.

Edited by Ellie Duncan