Cider Apple Tree Douce Coët Ligné - Malus domestica

Malus domestica Douce Coët Ligné is a highly productive variety of sweet apples, very sugary and highly fragrant, which bring roundness to cider. It produces spherical fruit, flattened at both poles, with a medium size (50 to 70 g), with a rough, yellowish skin, sometimes tinged with carmine red when exposed to sunlight. Its white flesh is crisp, juicy, very sweet and highly fragrant, with a low acidity. It reaches ripeness in the second half of October, and the fruits can be consumed as soon as they are picked for cider or juice production, and can be stored for a few weeks for cooking purposes. It is a self-sterile variety that requires the presence of other apple varieties for pollination. 

Malus domestica, also known as Malus communis or Malus pumila, is commonly called the Common or Domestic Apple Tree. It belongs to the Rosaceae family. Present in France and Europe since ancient times, it is a fruit tree native to the forests of Central Asia. It is highly hardy and is probably the most cultivated fruit tree in Northern Europe. There are approximately 20,000 varieties, including around 10,000 of American origin, 2,000 of English origin, and 2,000 of Chinese origin. Cider has existed since ancient times and was called 'Apple Wine'.  The Douce Coët Ligné Apple Tree, also known as Douce Coëtligné or Dous Coëtligné, originates from the Baud region (Morbihan). It has been listed as a recommended variety since 1949.

The Douce Coët Ligné Cider Apple Tree is a fruit tree of medium vigour, with a semi-erect habit, a well-developed dome shape, and good branching. It can reach approximately 5m (16ft) in height and 4m (13ft) in width at maturity, making it suitable for high trunk forms. Its foliage consists of large, ovate, dark green leaves on the upper side and pale green leaves on the lower side, with deeply toothed edges. Flowering, which occurs in early May, is considered semi-late, and usually avoids frost damage. The flowers are destroyed by frost at temperatures below -2 to -3°C. The Apple Tree is a hardy plant that can withstand temperatures of around -20°C, and is suitable for cultivation in all regions. Its white flowering is very abundant and remarkably decorative in spring, and is particularly attractive to bees and butterflies. It is a variety that, despite its vigour, produces poor-quality pollen, making it weakly self-pollinating or pollinating other apple varieties. It produces apples with few or no viable seeds. It is considered self-sterile, which is why the presence of apple trees flowering at the same time is necessary. Varieties such as Kermerrien, Petit Jaune, Marie Ménard, Bisquet, Fréquin Rouge Petit, Rouget de Dol, Argile Rouge, Guillevic, Chuero Briz, or any other semi-late flowering variety are suitable for cross-pollination.

The Douce Coët Ligné Cider Apple Tree is a variety that quickly bears fruit, is highly productive, sensitive to powdery mildew, moderately resistant to scab, and moderately sensitive to bacterial fire blight. It is an alternate-bearing variety, meaning it can produce abundant crops every other year.

It is a juicy apple with a sweet flavour, particularly suitable for cider production or apple juice blending with other cider apple varieties to balance the flavours. In cooking, it can also be used to make jellies, baked apples, or to accompany savory dishes based on black pudding, pork, or white meats. Dry ciders (between 4.5° and 6.5° alcohol) or sweet ciders (maximum 3° alcohol) are best consumed chilled, between 10 and 12°C. Dry cider pairs well with all kinds of dishes, especially those based on pork, chicken, rabbit, or fish. Sweet cider is wonderful for accompanying desserts and pancakes, or for use in cocktails. Cider can also be used to make high-quality vinegar, known for its many culinary uses (sauces, marinades, chutneys, etc.) and its beneficial effects on health.

Rich in carbohydrates and fructose, apples are invigorating and energizing, and their high content of vitamins A, B, C, and E, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber make them a health asset. The fruits can be stored for a few weeks if stored in a cool, clean place, protected from light, at a temperature of around 8 to 10°C, or in a cold room, sealed from outside air, at a temperature of 1 to 3°C.