Banane Amère Apple

History: Well-known Quebec cidermaker Claude Jolicoeur discovered this variety as a chance seedling growing on his property. The fruit is bitter with a banana-like aroma, and was therefore given the name Banane Amère (translated from French as 'bitter banana'). 

Why We Grow It: Despite its inedible nature, Banane Amère is an excellent cider apple and produces a bittersweet juice. It shares some characteristics with the popular cider variety Yarlington Mill but tends to ripen better in our climate.

Canadian Hardiness Zone: 4

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. 

Growth Habits and Disease Resistance: Hardy and somewhat susceptible 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

Bloom Colour: White

Ripens: Late September

Storage: Unknown, but generally cider apples are not stored long before being pressed

Recommended Use: Cider

Size including roots:

• 1m+ Whip: 100-200cm
• 1m+ Branched: 100cm+ with at least three branches 30cm+
• 50-80cm Whip: 50-80cm

*Information based on Claude Jolicouer's The New Cidermaker's Handbook