Variety Library

Sweet Choppin

Sweet · 2 trees planted · confidence high

OriginEngland, Devon/Somerset (associated with Martock), early 18th century
Ploidydiploid
Bloom group4 (1 early … 5 late)
HarvestMid-October at WSU Mount Vernon (10/10 mean); fruit drops when ripe and does not store more than a few weeks
Aciditylow
Tanninlow
Typical SG1.048
Biennial tendencymoderate

Correctly Sweet Coppin, a Devon-style pure sweet cider apple with soft white flesh, very low acid and very low tannin. WSU Mount Vernon measures 0.11% tannin, 0.20% malic acid, pH 4.03, SG 1.048, 11.3 Brix and 273 mL/lb juice yield - the highest juice yield of the four WSU cultivars here, which is what makes it valuable as the base and body of a blend despite modest sugar. Fruit drops readily at ripeness, so pick promptly.

Disease: Susceptible to apple scab and powdery mildew. WSU records a blind-wood rating of 2.0, spreading habit, and the lowest bloom density (2.4) and productivity (2.7) of the four WSU cultivars in this set. Hardy to zone 5.

Discrepancies: Specific gravity: WSU measures 1.048, Fedco and AppleWise both advertise 1.052. Recommended 1.048 - WSU is measured trial data from the same maritime climate, and the nursery figure likely comes from English sources. Tannin: WSU 0.11% versus Long Ashton 0.14%; both are firmly in the sweet band so the difference does not matter. Bearing: Fedco says it tends toward biennialism and BC Tree Fruit flags biennial potential, while WSU records only semi-alternate; recommended moderate per WSU. Vigor: left null - no trial or extension source records tree vigour, only WSU's spreading growth habit.

Sources

  • cider.wsu.edu/ciderweb/
  • fedcoseeds.com/trees/sweet-coppin-cider-apple-7309
  • cider.org.uk/appledat.htm