The skin has a greenish-yellow background with dull red blushes and stripes, which sometimes turn to a brownish purple.
Inside, the crisp, juicy flesh is greenish-yellow or greenish-white.
The Norfolk Biffin has now, as of 2004, largely disappeared from orchards in Norfolk, England, having been replaced by Cox’s Orange Pippins and Bramley apples. Not really available commercially anymore, only being grown by home gardeners.
Cooking Tips
Best for cooking and drying.
They used to be used for Norfolk Biffin Cakes.
Storage Hints
Stores well. Flavour sweetens during storage.
History Notes
The records for the estate of Robert Walpole (English Prime Minister) in Wolterton & Mannington in Norfolk list these apples in 1698. He had them delivered to London when he had to be in town.
The apple was first documented in America in the 1840s.
Literature & Lore
In the shade of the old Norfolk Biffin,
With Rosie I went for some tiffin.
But hay fever struck,
And I cursed my luck,
And stumbled home sneezin’ and sniffin’.