ORLEAN'S REINETTE
Apple
USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection
Orleans Reinette
Origin/History
Origin uncertain. First described by Knoop in 1776 (Bunyard). The variety has been much confused with others, and Bunyard notes receiving 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 numerous synonyms over the years; Bunyard's own firm contributed one by calling it Winter Ribston until the correct name was established.
Tree
Growth strong, upright, spreading; fertility fair (Bunyard).
Leaf large, oval, dark green, boldly curved serrate, held nearly flat (Bunyard).
Fruit
Size and Form: Medium to fairly large (Bunyard), or large (Downing). Bunyard gives dimensions of 2⅞ by 2½ inches. Bunyard describes the form as flattened, very even. Downing describes it as roundish oblong — a conflict in form between the two sources.
Stem: Short and stout (Bunyard).
Cavity: Moderately deep, wide, russeted (Bunyard).
Calyx: Open (Bunyard).
Basin: Wide, shallow, slightly ribbed (Bunyard).
Skin: Deep yellow with stripes of bright red in the sun (Downing); golden-yellow with slight red flush, covered with patches of fine russet (Bunyard). The two sources agree on yellow ground color but differ in the character of the red — Downing describes stripes of bright red, Bunyard a slight flush — and Bunyard adds the notable russet patching that Downing does not mention.
Flesh/Flavor: Flesh yellowish (Downing) / yellow (Bunyard), fine (Downing), very crisp (Bunyard), juicy (both). The two sources conflict on flavor character: Downing describes the taste as brisk acid; Bunyard describes it as sweet, and of the highest flavour, intermediate between Blenheim Orange and Ribston Pippin. Bunyard calls it a magnificent fruit he cannot too highly recommend.
Season
December (Downing). Dessert use through February (Bunyard).
Uses
Dessert (Bunyard).
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Bunyard cites Lauche I. 40 as a plate reference, and notes the synonyms Reinette Triumphant and Court Pendu Blanc as alternate names this variety has borne.
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
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.