Cap of Liberty (apple) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 'Cap of Liberty' |
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|---|---|
| Species | Malus domestica |
| Origin |  England |
The Cap of Liberty apple is a special kind of apple. It is also known by the names Red Soldiers or Bloody Soldier. This apple is a traditional cider apple, which means it's mostly grown to make cider. It first came from the Martock area in central Somerset, England.
Contents
What is the 'Cap of Liberty' Apple?
The 'Cap of Liberty' is an old and important apple variety. It's famous for being a "cider apple." This means its juice is perfect for making delicious cider. It has been grown in England for a very long time.
What Does the Tree Look Like?
The apple tree itself is medium-sized. It has a unique shape with several long branches that spread out. These branches usually don't have many smaller branches growing from them. The tree produces its apples in the middle of the apple growing season.
What About the Fruit?
The apples are small. They have a strong red color over a yellow background. Their shape is a mix between a cone and a cylinder. 'Cap of Liberty' apples are known as "bittersharp." This means they have high levels of two things:
- Tannin: This gives cider a rich, full taste.
- Malic acid: This gives cider a fresh, tart flavor.
These qualities make it a "vintage" quality apple. This means it can make excellent cider all by itself, without needing to be mixed with other apple types. Some people think it might be related to other apple types from central Somerset, like the Lambrook Pippin.
Are There Any Challenges Growing It?
Growing 'Cap of Liberty' trees can be a bit tricky. They are very likely to get a plant disease called apple scab. This disease can make the leaves and fruit look bad and can even cause parts of the tree to die. The trees can also sometimes get another disease called canker.
Because of these problems, not many 'Cap of Liberty' trees were planted after the 1920s. By the 1960s, experts noticed that only a few old trees were left. But today, you can find this special apple variety again from some growers who want to keep old apple types alive.
See also
In Spanish: Cap of Liberty (manzana) para niños
