WHAT’S more apple-ing this time of year than nature’s most bountiful fruit? The season of mists and mellow fruitfulness is almost upon us, in fact the first day if autumn officially begins on Friday September 22.

There are more than 8,000 varieties of apples grown world-wide – ranging from crunchy reds to sweet green types.

They flourish at their best in the autumn, but numerous varieties of apple are able to be harvested right now.

What’s more there’s something to be said for the old saying ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away!’ Apples are free from cholesterol, fat and salt and a medium sized fruit contains only 80 calories.

Essex has more than a few interesting apple varieties of its own – 40 to be exact. Among them include the “Rosy” which was first recorded as a seedling in an orchard at Bulphan, near Laindon.

The medium sized apple has a red stain when fully ripe. “The Essex Queen” hails from Billericay. This large flat-round shaped yellow apple with an orange flush cooks to a pleasant slightly acidic puree and can be picked mid –September.

There are plenty of apple-themed events coming up across Essex, so if you are a hard-core fan of nature’s Aplicus Rosacea (that’s the scientific name for apples), make sure you jot them in your diary

*Apple Day, The Big Garden, High Woods Country Park, Colchester, Saturday September 23, 12pm to 3pm. The annual event is always a big attraction and visitors can enjoy pressing and juicing apples, tasting apple bakes and appley crafts and games. Colchester.gov/uk/biggarden

*Apple Festival at Audley End House, near Saffron Walden, Saturday and Sunday September 23-24.

From bobbing and weaving to trapping and tasting, apples have never been so appetising and with more than 150 varieties of apple in the historic estate’s organic kitchen garden, the mansion’s expert garden team will be on-hand to share top tips, tours and pruning demos for green fingered fans.

The festival will give visitors the chance to gobble down the historic estate’s Bramley treats in the tea room, to see how the Victorians would have cooked a 'Nonsuch' in the service wing, and have a go at pressing and tasting apples. Become a bobbing champion before meeting the Victorian gardener to learn how to deal with harvest pests in the orchard, while falconers show how they dealt with them in the field. There’s also the chance to get crafty with apple themed activities. Entry charges apply.

*Apple Day, Laurence Orchard, Eastwoodbury Lane, Southend, Sunday October 7, 11am-2pm.

The annual Apple Day at Historic St Laurence Orchardm hosted by Trust Links, sees visitors enjoying apple tasting and pressing, orchard tours, apple peeling contests and homemade apple treats for sale.

Appletastic Adventures, Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre, near Colchester, Monday October 23, 10.30am - 12pm. A morning of fun on the reserve for all the family awaits with an apple themed session. All ages welcome but must be accompanied by an adult. Advanced booking essential. A £6 requested donation per child is requested. 01206 738172.