The Conference pear is now the UK’s most widely grown pear, having first been cultivated in 1884 by Mr Thomas Rivers of Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire. It was first exhibited in the following year at the British International Pear Conference from which it took its name. The Comice pear originates from 1849 when it was cultivated in the Loire Valley in France. It derives its name from the French phrase, Doyenné du Comice, meaning, “top of the show,” as they are often celebrated as the best pear variety.

The Valencia Late variety originates from Portugal & the Azores Islands. In 1865 the variety was imported by Englishman, Thomas Rivers, and given the name Excelsior. He sold trees to a number of growers in the USA including Mr A. B. Chapman in California, who renamed it Valencia “Late” at the suggestion of a Spanish visitor who pronounced it similar to a late-maturing variety from Valencia.

The Pixley Noir variety was originally identified in 2003 by Herefordshire farmer Edward Thompson who took the next 10 years to then propagate, plant and crop it. It has incredible colour intensity, unusually low acidity and a gentler flavour than most other blackcurrant varieties.

Rhubarb is one of the most prolific varieties grown in Northern England. It matures in February at the start of the season and is characterised by its thin tender stems.

Femminello lemons can be traced back to Roman times as evidenced by wall paintings and mosaics found in Pompeii and Herculaneum (Naples). Making up over 75% of Sicily’s lemon crop, Femminello lemons can be harvested year-long because each sub variety blossoms & matures during different seasons. Typically Femminello Comune lemons are medium sized, oval shaped and have a distinctive sourness.