Fruit in Sogn

Apples were grown in Sogn early on

Archaeological finds from Sweden show that apples have been growing in the Nordic countries since the Stone Age. The Oseberg Ship was buried in 834 and contained 54 small apples, and apple cores have been found dating from the 11th century. The first fruit orchard in Norway was nonetheless Aldinhage in Vik i Sogn, which is mentioned in Sverre’s Saga dating from 1201.

The orchard was probably planted in the mid-12th century, around the same time that Hopperstad stave church was built.

Apple orchards at Kvåle and Nes i Sogndal are mentioned a little later. The apple was a royal symbol in the 13th century, and can be found in the royal orb. Apple orchards in Nordfjord and Hardanger are also mentioned in the 14th century. This means that Sogn was the first area in Norway in which apples were grown.

Flesje Growing apples may well have begun a long time ago at the biggest farms in Balestrand, like Bala, but the first text about an orchard is from Flesje. In the 19th century, the bailiff also had an orchard and a distillery, so the fruit was probably also used to make spirits.

Balestrand Fruktlager

Balestrand Fruktlager was established in 1957 and had around 90 active members in the 1980s, who delivered apples, pears, plums, raspberries and strawberries. In 1996, Balholm started producing apple juice and cider in the same building.

Archaeological finds from Sweden show that apples have been growing in the Nordic countries since the Stone Age. 

— Åge Vedvik