Apple Tree Choupette - Malus domestica

The 'Choupette' Apple Tree is a very hardy variety, resistant to diseases. Its fruits have a hard skin with a beautiful intense red-violet colour sprinkled with small white dots. The flesh, firm at first, becomes softer over time. It is juicy, slightly acidic, sweet, with a perfectly balanced taste. The fruits are harvested in October and can be stored for a long time under good conditions.

The apple tree is native to Europe, particularly in France where its presence has been documented since antiquity. The goal of INRA to create hardy varieties with a pronounced taste and environmentally friendly cultivation practices led to the creation of the 'Choupette' Apple Tree. Co-developed by SNC ELARIS and INRA, 'Choupette' is the result of hybridization between two INRA numbers from Angers: X4598 and X3174. These "parent" varieties are the most resistant to both scab and powdery mildew. The result is a very hardy variety, resistant to diseases, reducing the need for treatments by fourfold, and very flavourful.

The 'Choupette' Apple Tree is an upright tree with a naturally open habit, giving it both a very elegant appearance and practicality for harvesting and natural disease control. It is productive and resistant to scab and powdery mildew. Its foliage is composed of very large, ovate, slightly velvety leaves that are dark green on top and whitish green underneath, with deeply toothed edges.

Flowering occurs in April and extends until May. Its low self-fertility requires the presence of another apple tree nearby. Its long flowering period allows for many choices, including varieties such as Antares®, Goldrush®, 'Golden Delicious', 'Granny Smith', 'Reine des Reinettes', 'Red Delicious', 'Braeburn', 'Elstar', 'Fuji', and 'Idared'.

Fruit production begins in mid-October. These large red-violet fruits, with their sweet and juicy flesh, are quite firm.

Thanks to its balanced sugar and acidity levels, this apple is just as good for eating as it is for cooking. It holds up well in pies, cakes, or as a side dish for savoury dishes. Of course, they can also be enjoyed fresh, in compotes, or as jams...