Karmijn de Sonnaville

Karmijn de Sonnaville is a cultivar of apple that was developed in the Netherlands by Piet de Sonnaville, working at the Institute for Horticultural Plant Breeding (now part of Wageningen University & Research). It is named after the developer's wife, Karmijn. The apple is a cross between the Cox's Orange Pippin and the Jonathan, and it was first grown in 1949.

Characteristics

The Karmijn de Sonnaville apple is known for its distinctive, tangy flavor, which is often described as more complex than most other apple varieties. The fruit is medium to large in size, with an irregular, slightly flattened shape. The skin is a rich red color, often with streaks of green, and the flesh is firm and juicy.

The tree is vigorous and spreading, but it tends to be a biennial bearer, meaning it produces a heavy crop one year and then a light crop the next. It is also susceptible to a number of apple diseases, including apple scab and canker, which can make it a challenging variety to grow.

Cultivation

Karmijn de Sonnaville is not widely grown commercially due to its tendency towards biennial bearing and its susceptibility to disease. However, it is popular among apple enthusiasts for its unique flavor and is often grown in home gardens and specialty orchards. It is best suited to climates with cool summers and cold winters, and it requires a long growing season to reach its full flavor potential.

Uses

The Karmijn de Sonnaville apple is primarily used for fresh eating, due to its complex flavor and firm texture. It is also suitable for baking and for making apple sauce, but it is not typically used for juicing.

See also

• List of apple cultivars
• Agriculture in the Netherlands