[cheshirecheese]

My apple tree has produced a bumper crop of Cox's Orange Pippins, and I'm wondering whether I need to add anything to them (e.g. lemon juice) or reduce the amount of sugar if I use them instead of cooking apples in recipes.  Also, I'd really like to make some apple and rosemary jelly, but wonder whether eating apples have sufficient pectin?

[mumofstig]

They don't seem to have as much pectin unfortunately, so I'd suggest using jam sugar in your apple & rosemary jelly.

If you are putting the apples in chutney there's no problem, I just add some lemon juice.
It's more difficult in jams because the other fruit may have enough pectin to set it anyway, so perhaps use some ordinary and  some jam sugar to be on the safeside 

[cheshirecheese]

Thanks for that swift response MoS - much appreciated!  
It's what I suspected, so jam sugar is a good idea.  And there are some really nice looking chutney recipes on here, so I'll give those a go too, and just add some lemon juice.

[compostqueen]

I use my Cox's for cakes and tarts as they stay firm, and hold their shape, rather than going mushy.

[cheshirecheese]

Good to know - thanks!  It's the third season for this tree since I planted it.  The first year it produced quite a decent crop, last year just one fruit (!!), and this year not only is the tree covered, but they're enormous - much bigger than your average Cox's!

[hamstergbert]

beware the biennial cropping of fruit tress   Hopefully will settle down into the proper every year mode - it is after all quite a young tree by the sound of it.

[cheshirecheese]

Well, waddya know!!  Thanks for that link - very informative.  I'll try to make sure that my young tree doesn't get into bad habits, i.e. that it doesn't establish a pattern of biennial cropping, by using the preventative methods described.
  Thank you very much!

[Kleftiwallah]

As one of our pear trees (Concorde) has branches groaning with fruit, I found that link very interesting.  Thanks and keep 'em coming.    Cheers,    Tony.

[cricketwidow]

You can buy ready made pectin from the super market shelf just mix with the sugar before adding it and it works fine, I have made my Mint Jelly with eating apples and it is grand.  Good luck.