Orlean's Reinette
Apple
USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection
ORLEAN'S REINETTE
Origin / History
Origin uncertain; first described by Knoop in 1776 (Bunyard, who cites Lauche I. 40). Much confused with other apples and given numberless synonyms. Bunyard first received it mixed in with Blenheim Orange, to which it is very similar in some respects but quite distinct, the flavor being much better. His firm added a further synonym by calling it Winter Ribston until the real name was discovered. Bunyard: "This magnificent fruit cannot be too highly recommended."
Tree
Growth strong, upright, spreading; fertility fair. Leaf large, oval, dark green, boldly curved serrate, held nearly flat.
Fruit
Size: Large (Downing); medium to fairly large, 2⅞ by 2½ (Bunyard).
Form: Roundish oblong (Downing); flattened, very even (Bunyard).
Stem: Short and stout.
Cavity: Moderately deep, wide, russeted.
Calyx: Eye open.
Basin: Wide, shallow, slightly ribbed.
Skin: Deep yellow to golden-yellow, with stripes of bright red in the sun, or a slight red flush. Covered with patches of fine russet (Bunyard).
Dots: Not described in source.
Flesh and flavor: Yellowish to yellow, fine, very crisp, juicy. Downing gives brisk acid; Bunyard gives sweet, "of the highest flavour intermediate between Blenheim Orange and Ribston Pippin."
Core and seeds: Not described in source.
Season
December to February. Downing gives December; Bunyard gives dessert till February.
Uses
Dessert (Bunyard).
Subtypes / Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
- Bunyard, A Handbook of Hardy Fruits (1920)
- Downing, Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900) — listed as Orleans Reinette
Nursery Catalog Sources
Found in 1 catalog (1900)
- Central Experimental Farm , Dominion Department of Agriculture, Agassiz, British Columbia (under test; Bulletin No. 3, Second Series) — 1900 — listed as Reinette Orleans
View original book sources (2)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Orleans Reinette.
Reinette d'Orleans.
Fruit large, roundish oblong, deep yellow, with stripes of bright red in the sun. Flesh yellowish, fine, juicy, brisk acid. December.
— E.A. Bunyard, A Handbook of Hardy Fruits (1920)ORLEAN'S REINETTE. Lauche I. 40. (Reinette Triumphant, Court Pendu Blanc.) Dessert, till February, medium to fairly large, 2⅞ by 2½, flattened, very even. Colour, golden-yellow with slight red flush. Skin, covered with patches of fine russet. Flesh, yellow, very crisp, sweet, juicy and of the highest flavour intermediate between Blenheim Orange and Ribston Pippin. Eye, open in a wide, shallow, slightly ribbed basin. Stem, short and stout, in a moderately deep wide russeted cavity. Growth, strong, upright, spreading; fertility fair. Leaf, large, oval, dark green, boldly curved serrate, held nearly flat. Origin, uncertain but it was first described by Knoop in 1776. This apple has been much confused with others and I first received it mixed in with Blenheim Orange to which it is very similar in some respects, but is quite distinct the flavour being much better. It has received numberless synonyms and I regret that my firm added one by calling it Winter Ribston until the real name was discovered. This magnificent fruit cannot be too highly recommended.