French Reinette
AppleFrench Reinette
Origin/History
French Reinette is an old French apple described by various authors, and by Coxe's account was the most admired winter apple in France at the time of his writing (1817). It is valued primarily as a long keeper.
Tree
The tree is of a handsome form, tall, and large, of vigorous growth, and an abundant bearer.
Fruit
Size
Large.
Form
The two sources differ somewhat in their characterization of the form. Coxe describes the shape as long, flat at the ends, and lessening towards the crown. Downing describes it as roundish oblong conical, truncated.
Stem
Short and thick, planted deep. (Coxe only; Downing does not describe the stem.)
Cavity
Not described in source.
Calyx
Not described in source.
Basin
Not described in source.
Skin
Yellow. When fully ripe, the skin is apt to shrivel (Coxe). Coxe notes a number of cloudy, black, and russet spots on the skin. Downing describes the skin as yellow with some russet and red in sun, but does not mention the black spots noted by Coxe.
Flesh and Flavor
Flesh firm, rich, and sprightly. Downing specifies the flesh color as yellowish white and characterizes the flavor as rich and sprightly subacid. Coxe does not specify color or use the term subacid.
Core and Seeds
Not described in source.
Season
A winter apple. Often kept sound till the second year (Coxe). Both sources independently emphasize its value as a long keeper.
Uses
A long-keeping winter dessert apple, prized for its ability to hold until the second year after harvest.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
- Downing, Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)
- Coxe, A View of the Cultivation of Fruit Trees (1817) — listed as Reinette Franche
Nursery Catalog Sources
Found in 2 catalogs (1901–1913) from Illinois
- Benjamin Buckman (personal inventory) , Farmingdale , Illinois — 1901 — listed as Reinette Franche
- Benjamin Buckman (personal inventory) , Farmingdale , Illinois — 1913 — listed as Reinette Franche
View original book sources (2)
— William Coxe, A View of the Cultivation of Fruit Trees (1817)NO. 42. REINETTE FRANCHE.
This is the most admired winter apple in France; the size is large, the shape long, flat at the ends, and lessening towards the crown: the skin is yellow, and when fully ripe, is apt to shrivel—it has usually a number of cloudy, black, and russet spots on the skin—the stalk is short and thick, planted deep—the flesh firm, rich and sprightly—it is often kept sound till the second year—the tree is of a handsome form, tall, large, of vigorous growth, and an abundant bearer.
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)French Reinette.
Reinette Franche. Reinette Blanche. Weisse Reinette. Reinette Blanche, dite Prime. Franz Rennette. Franzosische Edelreinette. Reinette de Normandy.
An old French Apple described by various authors, valued mainly as a long keeper. Coxe says the tree is handsome, of vigorous growth and an abundant bearer.
Fruit large, roundish oblong conical, truncated, yellow, with some russet, and red in sun. Flesh firm, yellowish white, rich and sprightly subacid.