Hustyns, a Club La Costa resort, is embarking on a major new project which will see them planting, growing, sustaining an Apple orchard of lost and nearly forgotten Cornish apples. These will then be put to good use by Hustyns' restaurant and kitchen in the production of many home-made specialities including cider, pastries, sauces, etc.
Hustyns Resort
Over the last 250 years, apple growing in the far southwest has given rise to considerable locally adapted, widespread varieties of proven value. These are not well known outside the confines of the southwest and their survival is in the hands of a few enthusiasts, one being Hustyns. The varieties are endangered as old orchards continue to decline in numbers and deteriorate in condition.
Hustyns will be working in conjunction with Eden Project agronomists about planting local, disused varieties of apples and pears in the resort's gardens, hedges and estate, thereby helping to sustain renewed activity. Hustyns already have 7 varieties in the orchard and are looking to have additional ones suitable for eating, cooking and pickling.
Talks are also under way to plant flowers that are typical of the region. Moreover, Hustyns is locally sourcing and offering to buy produce from the region's newly revived barley and buckwheat crops. All these plants are part of the slow food sustainability and revival initiatives instigated by the regional presidency held by Andrew Ormerod from The Eden Project.
Nowadays there is a considerable range of suitable and recognised varieties of apples that have been identified and collected and which Hustyns will use to their benefit. They include:
The orchards will be put to good use with activities from 'Team Hustyns' giving children - and perhaps even adults - a chance to see where the apples for their apple juice or pies actually come from, instead of a supermarket shelf! Guests will be able to stroll throughout, enjoying the beauty of the Cornish countryside. It will also boost the tradition of Cornish-grown apples in the public eye, with guests coming to Hustyns from far and wide, and they will be able to experience it all first hand by coming to the 'Taste of Cornwall' evening where they can sample and purchase Cornish produce and goods.
Club La Costa Resorts & Hotels strives to use locally-sourced meats, poultry, fish, fruit and vegetables wherever possible in its resorts in the UK, Spain, Tenerife and Austria. Locally sustainable programmes are backed and promoted by the company in parallel with recycling and reduction programmes for a healthier environment while minimising the impact on it wherever and whenever possible.
