Malus sieversii

Malus sieversii PI 657039 (KAZ 95 18-06) is a Kazakh selection with exciting cider potential. Although the GRIN website is somewhat unclear, it appears that KAZ 95 18-06 was collected in September 1995 as seed in Karatau Province, north of Chimkent. We first learned about the apple during a poster session at Cidercon 2020 in Oakland, California. On the Folin-Ciocalteau scale of total polyphenolics (g/L GAE) "2017-2019 Apple Juice Chemistry Results"= 5+, Malus sieversii was the second highest of all the apples tested, including many European cider cultivars.

The small fruit (3.6cm x 4.0cm) is said to be astringent and dry. We have not yet seen the fruit, but we’re looking forward to seeing our first crop. We obtained our scionwood from the USDA. Currently growing at Super Chilly Farm.