Cider Apple Tree Marie Ménard - Malus domestica

Malus domestica 'Marie Ménard' is a fairly productive variety of sweet and sour apples, very sweet and tangy, which bring finesse and bouquet to cider. It produces a round-shaped fruit, flattened at both ends, of medium to large size (50 to 90 grams), with a rough skin, yellowish-ochre in colour, washed with carmine red when exposed to sunlight. Its white flesh is crisp, juicy, sweet, tangy, and highly aromatic. It ripens in the second half of October, and the fruits can be consumed as soon as they are harvested for cider or juice production, and can be stored for a few weeks for cooked uses in the kitchen. 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 about 20,000 varieties, including around 10,000 of American origin, 2,000 of English origin, and 2,000 of Chinese origin. Cider has been around since ancient times and was called "Apple Wine". With the invention of the press and apple cultivation, it began to appear in France from the 12th century. The Normans, the Basques (who called it Sidra), and the Bretons (who called it Chistr) all claim its paternity. The 'Marie Ménard' apple tree is a variety discovered by Madame Marie Ménard in 1910, in St Germain, in the commune of Matignon (Côtes-d'Armor). It has been listed as a recommended variety since 1958.

The 'Marie Ménard' cider apple tree is a fruit tree that is vigorous, semi-erect in habit, with a spreading, well-balanced, and lightly branched canopy. At maturity, it can reach approximately 5 metres (16 feet) in height and 4 metres (13 feet) in width, making it well-suited for standard forms. It is an easy-to-manage variety that forms well without pruning. Its foliage consists of large, oval, greenish-brown leaves on the upper side and whitish-green on the lower side, with deeply toothed edges. The flowering, which occurs in early May, usually protects it from frost. The flowers are destroyed by frost at temperatures below -2 to -3°C. The apple tree is a hardy plant that can tolerate temperatures around -20°C and is suitable for cultivation in all regions. Its white flowering is very abundant, remarkably decorative in spring, and particularly attractive to bees and nectar-feeding insects. Despite its vigour, it 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 said to be self-sterile, which is why the presence of apple trees that bloom at the same time is necessary. Varieties such as 'Kermerrien', 'Petit Jaune', 'Fréquin Rouge', 'Rouget de Dol', 'Douce Coëtligné', 'Guillevic', or any other mid-late flowering variety are suitable for cross-pollination.

The 'Marie Ménard' cider apple tree is a variety that bears fruit relatively slowly, is fairly productive, moderately susceptible to scab, powdery mildew, and canker, and resistant to bacterial fire blight. It is a moderately alternate-bearing variety, meaning it provides a regular yield every year.

A juicy apple with a sweet and sour flavour, particularly suitable for cider production or apple juice blending with other cider apple varieties to balance the flavours. In the kitchen, it can also be used to make jellies, baked apples, or accompany savory dishes based on black pudding, pork, or white meats. Raw cider (between 4.5° (40.1°F) and 6.5° (43.7°F) alcohol) or sweet cider (maximum 3° (37.4°F) alcohol) should be consumed chilled, between 10 and 12 °C. Raw cider pairs well with all kinds of dishes, especially those based on pork, chicken, rabbit, or fish. Sweet cider is perfect for accompanying desserts, pancakes, or being used in cocktails. From cider, a high-quality vinegar can be produced, known for its numerous 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 fibre 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 around 8 to 10 °C or in a cold room, sealed off from outside air at a temperature of 1 to 3 °C.