History: Sweet Coppin originated in Devon, England, in the early 1700s. It was grow on a relatively large scale in the 1800s before its popularity waned, although it has since made a comeback and is grown around the world.
Why We Grow It: While this old English cider apple has a very good but mild flavour that is suitable for fresh eating, it is most well known for its cider qualities. It produces a full sweet cider of vintage quality
Canadian Hardiness Zone: 5
Soil Preference: Sandy loam, loam, clay loam. Prefers average to moist conditions, avoid planting anywhere that floods for more than two weeks in the spring. Generally quite adaptable to different soil conditions. Does not like too much sulphur.
Growth Habits and Disease Resistance: Moderately vigorous and precocious, spreading growth habit, tends to produce fruit every other year but has good crops when it does. Resistant to scab.
Sun/Shade: Full sun (approx. 8-10 hours of sun daily)
Pollination: Requires a pollinator of a different apple variety that blooms around the same time
Flowering Time: Middle
Ripens: Late October
Storage: Does not keep well
Recommended Use: Fresh eating, cider
- Class: Sweet
- Sugar: Medium, SG 1.052
- Acidity: Low, TA 2 g/L
- Tannins: Low, 1.4 g/L
- Juice Yield: 273 mL/lb
- Taste: Sweet, no astringency
- Recommendations: Can be used in blends or made into a single-variety cider
Size including roots:
- 1 year grade 100-200 cm whip
- 2 year grade 100 cm+ with 3 or more branches, 30 cm or more
- B grade less than 100 cm
*Information based on Claude Jolicouer's The New Cidermaker's Handbook and Washington State University's "Cultivar Performance Gallery"