Ripeness is all - Telegraph By rights, today should be a national holiday, a New Year and Harvest Festival combined, for it sees the appearance on sale of the early apple crop, a very British event. Between them, Sainsbury's and Tesco, which are putting the variety Discovery on the shelves, account for more than half the home-grown apples sold. Waitrose joins in this weekend. Apples are something at which Britain excels. As the crop arrives 10 days earlier than in 2012, researchers are finding, as we report today, that variations in the climate are making apples sweeter but softer. That is not a good combination. Crispness with a pleasing sharpness is a British speciality, although with 1,900 kinds in the national collection orchards at Brogdale, Kent, there's room for choice. Our apples are what cheese is to the French: an expression of local loyalty. All we need do is reach out and take our pick.