Amere de Berthecourt

Why You Should Be Excited

Amere de Berthecourt is a 19th century French bittersweet apple known for adding bitterness and character to a quality cider blend.

The Story of Amere de Berthecourt

Some enterprising soul helped nature create this variety by growing it from seed in 1850s Normandy. Their efforts paid off through the creation of a high quality cider apple.

The Amere de Berthecourt tree is vigorous, generally healthy and highly productive in alternate years. Like so many varieties, it is susceptible to apple scab.

The juice is deeply coloured and valuable for adding some life to cider blends that might otherwise lack character. The level of bitterness it contributes will depend to a great extent on the growing conditions.

Like several other French varietals that are not well known in North America, you might consider this one to be among your cider ‘secret weapons.’

Amere de Berthecourt Facts

Its origins

Raised from a seed in Berthecourt, Normandy, France, around 1850.

Flavour, aroma, texture

A bittersweet cider apple, making a flavourful, substantial cider.

Appearance

It’s a small to medium-sized yellow apple, often with a carmine blush.

When they’re available

Late season (in our orchard, early October).

Quality for fresh eating

Used in cider only.

Quality for cooking

Nope.

Quality for cider

Very good. We use it in our traditional cider varieties blend that’s the starting point for our Serious Cider.

Keeping ability

Good (best to press and start fermenting within about two months of harvest).