Foxwhelp

Foxwhelp is one of the most famous of all cider apples in the world. It originated in the UK. It is a true bittersharp with the reputation of making one of the best of all vintage (single variety) ciders. Somehow when it was brought to the US many years ago, it was mixed up with either a rootstock or some other unidentified variety. For decades US cider makers were perplexed and confused about this apple that was considered to be so great in the UK but was so nondescript in the US. That apple became known as “Fauxwhelp.”

In 2012 with the assistance of English cider apple historian, John Teiser, I imported the true Foxwhelp to the US through the USDA APHIS program. The Foxwhelp I imported has been released by APHIS and verified through DNA profiling. Trees have been sold by Fedco and scionwood is available through us. We’re delighted to be making it available. We also have a “Red Foxwhelp” which is likely not the true Red Foxwhelp but is rather a red sport of the original. (The true Red Foxwhelp is now thought to be a seedling of the original and may have disappeared.) And we have the Broxwood Foxwhelp. For a full discussion of Foxwhelp, see the articles in MALUS: Issue #10 2020 and Issue #15 2021. Currently growing at Super Chilly Farm.