Douce de Charlevoix

Why you should be excited

Douce de Charlevoix is a bittersweet cider apple found in Quebec and propagated by Claude Jolicoeur.

The story of Douce de Charlevoix

Here’s one of many apple varieties that appeared on the scene by pure chance.

According to Clause Jolicoeur, the respected Canadian pomologist, this one apparently was the result of a grafted tree – on seedling rootstock – where the variety was overtaken by growth from the rootstock. So, instead of whatever intended variety, we ended up with the seedling producing fruit.

And Jolicoeur found the fruit was excellent, indeed, when used to make cider. It makes a low-acid, medium-sugar, medium-tannin juice that performs well a part of a cider blend.

Since the tree is productive and relatively disease-free, this variety – fluky though its appearance may have been – looks like a winner, indeed.

Douce de Charlevoix Facts

Its origins

Discovered in Baie-Saint-Paul, Quebec, Canada, early 1990s.

Flavour, aroma, texture

The bittersweet juice has excellent flavour.

Appearance

An attractive greenish apple with orange-red stripes.

When they’re available

Mid-season (usually in mid-September).

Quality for fresh eating

Limit this one to cider.

Quality for cooking

Cider only.

Quality for cider

Good.

Keeping ability

Limited (a few weeks sweating before pressing is fine).