On September 16 2021, Apofruit organized an event to illustrate the characteristics of Candine apples to its partners. Over 50 producers attended and visits included two companies - Marconi (integrated) and Benzoni (organic) - both in the Ravenna province. Technical manager Andrea Grassi and Specialist Paolo Nanni hosted the event. Director Ernesto Fornari and President Mirco Zanotti also attended.
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The apples boast a bright red color on a washed red-orange background. Size is uniform (75-85). Fruits have a white, crunchy, fondant, sweet and aromatic flesh.
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Paolo Nanni and Andrea Grassi at Marconi
"Candine® is the commercial brand of the Regal You variety. At the moment, there is over one third of hectares planted out of a maximum of 260. Fruits have a long shelf-life of up to 10 months, with unaltered flavor and crunchiness," explained Grassi.
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Ripening begins in the second half of September. Operations have already started in Cesena and are about to start in Ravenna.
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"Candine has shown an excellent resistance to scab, plus it boasts good yields, a high percentage of top-quality fruit, high Brix levels already upon harvesting (16-18°), excellent shelf-life, uniform grade and shape and distinct color and flavor," added Nanni.
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Apples are almost ready at Marconi, with a high sugar level and a uniform color favored by the temperature difference between night and day. Marconi orchards are covered with anti-insect and anti-hail block nets.
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At Benzoni, nets cover the single rows and management is even more careful, for obvious reasons. It is not simple to determine the perfect moment for ripening, as standard parameters (starch) do not help.
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"Plants are very similar to Fuji and thinning is not easy as there is no King Flower as such. Alternance is much lower than Fuji. As for organoleptic qualities, hardness at harvesting is between 6.5 and 8.5, starch is between 4.5 and 5 (1-5 scale) and the sugar content is between 12 and 15° Brix."