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.
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History
The variety is thought to have arisen on the farm of a Mr Ellis at Newton St. Cyres, Devon, in the mid 19th century, but its exact origin is unclear, though it was first planted around Crediton in the 19th century. It was subsequently widely planted across the region by commercial growers, particularly those under contract to H. P. Bulmer, in the 20th century after being included in trial plantings by the Long Ashton Research Station, and because its early cropping characteristics allowed extension of the harvesting season forward.
Ellis Bitter is still found in modern commercial orchards, in additional to 'traditional' orchards.
Characteristics
The apple is a medium 'bittersweet', with low levels of malic acid and moderate tannins. The fruit is medium-sized and conical, with a slightly flattened shape. The skin is yellow and waxy with an orange-red striped flush, and russetted lenticels.
The tree is extremely vigorous and consistently self-sterile, and has good disease resistance.