[Chuffy]

No, not an avante-gard 60's acid jazz combo. 

I've spent the last two evenings peeling, coring and chopping my own bodyweight in Bramleys. Some of them have large sections of translucent flesh, sometimes going right through to the core of the apple. The flesh doesn't seem damaged, as it would be if they'd been frozen, and tastes rather nice.

Any idea what the cause might be?

[peterjf]

check around the pips, could be fungi or even moth pupa

[gillie]

I think what you are seeing is 'glassiness' which I have learned today is also called 'water core' in the U.S.  (Google has not found me a Brit. reference).  It is a physiological disorder apparently caused by high temperatures (what here? after this summer?) and may disappear if the apples are stored for a few weeks.  It is harmless.  I  usually find a few small bits of glassiness on our apples and compost them.

Isn't it a bit early to be picking Bramleys?  I would leave them on the tree for a while.  You may find the problem goes away.

Cheers,

Gillie

[Chuffy]

I think what you are seeing is 'glassiness' which I have learned today is also called 'water core' in the U.S.  (Google has not found me a Brit. reference).  It is a physiological disorder apparently caused by high temperatures (what here? after this summer?) and may disappear if the apples are stored for a few weeks.  It is harmless.  I  usually find a few small bits of glassiness on our apples and compost them.

Isn't it a bit early to be picking Bramleys?  I would leave them on the tree for a while.  You may find the problem goes away.

Ah, that sound like it. Thanks Gillie.

No, definitely not too early (assuming that they are Bramleys!) as a load have dropped already and we didn't want to lose the rest. The glassy ones are actually rather tasty raw, I certainly wouldn't compost them.

[gillie]

You have said twice that you like the flavour of the glassy apples.  Are you getting what I call a 'pear drop' flavour?  Personally I loathe it!

Cheers,

Gillie