Cor! Now we know hoe Victorians peeled an apple

A TASTE of the Victorian era is going on show at a Yorkshire museum as part of a series of apple-themed half-term events.
Lucy Knock, Assistant Curator at the York Castle Museum, with an Apple  Bonanza apple peeling machine from the USA  made in 1900Lucy Knock, Assistant Curator at the York Castle Museum, with an Apple  Bonanza apple peeling machine from the USA  made in 1900
Lucy Knock, Assistant Curator at the York Castle Museum, with an Apple Bonanza apple peeling machine from the USA made in 1900

The cast iron apple peeler, which dates from the turn of the 20th century, is powered by a series of sprocket wheels, levers and cams and will be on display with other historic peelers, corers and scoops from the York Castle Museum’s collection. Gum disease and tooth decay which went untreated in the past meant it was difficult to bite into hard apples, and peelers, corers and scoops were commonly seen in 18th and 19th century kitchens and were even used as love tokens, similar to Welsh spoons, bearing hearts, a couple’s initials and personal messages. There will also be the chance to test and taste historic apple jam recipes, create art using apples, and learn about traditional apple harvesting as part of the museum’s half-term programme.

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