Apple Tree Reine des Reinettes

The Reine des Reinettes Apple Tree is a very vigorous and productive variety. Its fruits, about 7 cm (3in) in diameter, are red-yellow golden. Their flesh is pale, juicy, fine, and crisp. Tart, their taste resembles that of the walnut and is pleasantly fragrant. Its harvest starts at the beginning of ripeness, in early September. They keep very well after harvest and can be consumed until March.

The apple tree is native to Europe, especially in France where its presence has been attested since antiquity. The Reine des Reinettes Apple Tree was obtained in Holland around 1770. This country had been cultivating several varieties of Kroon apples for a long time, from which this variety originated. The numerous exchanges in the 19th century between France, Holland, and Belgium, in particular, are the origin of the presence in France of the Reine des Reinettes variety.

The Reine des Reinettes Apple Tree is an upright tree, giving it a very elegant and slender appearance. It is very productive, so it will need to be thinned to avoid small fruit size and the occurrence of diseases. Its hardiness makes it suitable for cultivation in northern regions of Europe, as well as in mountainous areas. Its foliage is composed of very large, oval, slightly hairy, green-brownish leaves on top, whitish-green underneath, deeply toothed.

Flowering occurs in April and is quite extensive. For this reason, the variety is one of the best pollinators for other apple trees. The flowering is not afraid of frost. The apple tree is therefore suitable for cultivation in the mountains. Self-sterile, the presence of apple trees whose flowering occurs at the same time is necessary. The varieties 'Golden Delicious', 'Idared', and 'Melrose' are suitable. Fruiting is early and begins in September. Rounded and elongated in shape, the apples have a silky skin, orange-yellow with some red stripes. They have an exotic aroma. This variety will prefer cold nights to reveal the full taste of its fruits.

These apples are particularly suitable for pastry preparation, especially delicious tarte tatin. They can of course be consumed fresh, in compotes, in jams, and in savoury dishes, in combination with cheeses, for example.