Dabinett facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Malus domestica 'Dabinett' |
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| Cultivar | 'Dabinett' |
| Origin | England, probably early 1900s |
The Dabinett is a special kind of apple that's mostly grown in Somerset, England. People there love to use it for making cider, which is a popular drink made from apples.
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What is the Dabinett Apple?
The Dabinett apple is known as a "bittersweet" apple. This means it has a good balance of sugar and a little bit of a sharp, tangy taste, which is perfect for making cider. The apples themselves are usually small and have a yellow-green skin with some red spots. They are typically picked in November in the United Kingdom. Inside, the apple flesh is greenish and smells nice.
How Did Dabinett Apples Start?
The Dabinett apple probably first appeared in the early 1900s. A man named William Dabinett found it growing by itself in a hedge in a place called Middle Lambrook, South Petherton, in Somerset. When an apple tree grows from a seed in the wild, it's called a "wilding." So, the Dabinett apple started as a wilding!
We don't know exactly which two apple trees were the "parents" of the Dabinett. But experts think that another apple called the Chisel Jersey might have been one of them. The Chisel Jersey is also a "bittersweet" apple, similar to the Dabinett.
After it was discovered, the Dabinett apple became very popular. Farmers started planting it all over the southwest of England because it was so good for cider.
Meet the 'Black Dabinett'
There's also a close relative of the Dabinett apple called Black Dabinett. Some people also call it 'Tommy Rodford'. This apple grew from a seed of the original Dabinett tree in a place called Kingsbury Episcopi. Black Dabinett apples look a bit like the regular Dabinett, but they have a purplish color. The trees are also generally stronger and grow more vigorously.
Growing Dabinett Apple Trees
Dabinett apple trees are usually quite small and their branches spread out. This makes them good for orchards. One great thing about Dabinett trees is that they are very strong and healthy. They have a high natural protection against common apple diseases like apple scab and canker.
- Apple scab is a fungal disease that causes dark, spotty patches on the leaves and fruit.
- Canker is a disease that causes sunken, dead areas on the branches and trunk of the tree.
Because Dabinett trees are so resistant to these problems, they are easier for farmers to grow. The apples also have a low acid content, around 0.18%, which helps give cider its smooth taste.
Dabinett Cider
The Dabinett apple is so good that it can be used to make cider all by itself! Many companies that make cider use Dabinett apples as the main ingredient, or even the only ingredient, in their drinks. Some well-known cider makers that use Dabinett apples include Marshwood Vale Cider, The Tricky Cider Co, Thatchers, and Sheppy's. This shows how special and important the Dabinett apple is for making delicious cider.
