Bauman's Reinette

Origin/History

Bauman's Reinette is of Flemish origin, raised probably by Van Mons and introduced and named by him. It was generally cultivated in Germany by 1820. The variety is described in Flore and Pomologie, 1879, p. 121 (Bunyard), and cited by Downing on the authority of the London Horticultural Society.

Tree

Growth is compact and fertility is described as remarkable — Bauman's Reinette is noted as a remarkable cropper (Bunyard). Leaves are rather large, very dark, held outward, down-cupped, and finely curved-serrate (Bunyard). Other tree characteristics are not described in source.

Fruit

Size and Form

Medium in size. Downing describes the form as roundish oblate; Bunyard gives the dimensions as 2¾ inches by 2½ inches, round flattened, curving most toward the eye. These accounts are broadly compatible.

Skin

The two sources conflict substantially on skin color and should be considered separately:

• Downing: Yellowish green, with numerous distinct brown dots.
• Bunyard: Almost entirely covered with a brilliant crimson flush with broad stripes.

These descriptions are irreconcilable as a single appearance. Researchers identifying an unknown fruit should note that one source describes a predominantly green apple with brown dots, while the other describes an apple largely overspread with bright red.

Stem and Cavity

Stem rather thin and short, set in a very wide russeted cavity (Bunyard). Not described by Downing.

Calyx and Basin

Eye small, closed, seated in a rather deep, slightly plaited basin (Bunyard). Not described by Downing.

Flesh and Flavor

Downing describes the flesh as yellowish white, fine, firm, sugary, and perfumed. Bunyard describes it as white, crisp, juicy, and slightly aromatic. Both sources suggest an aromatic quality, though Downing's "sugary, perfumed" implies a more distinctly dessert character than Bunyard's "slightly aromatic." Bunyard explicitly judges the variety to be of poor quality despite its cropping ability.

Core and Seeds

Not described in source.

Season

January (Downing); December to January (Bunyard).

Uses

Culinary or dessert (Bunyard). Downing's description of the flesh as sugary and perfumed implies dessert use. Bunyard, however, rates it as "a remarkable cropper but of poor quality."

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Bunyard records the following associated names in historical and European pomological literature: Reinette Baumann (French), Baumann's Reinette (German), Couronne des Dames, and Reinette de Bolwyller. These appear in Bunyard's entry as European synonyms accompanying the variety's history and should not be taken as alternative identifications for different fruits.