Reinette facts for kids

The Reine des reinettes apple

The Reinette Clochard apple (pictured) helped create the Chantecler apple.

Have you ever heard of an apple called Reinette? This special name, which means Little Queen in French, is given to many different kinds of apples. You might also hear them called Rennet in English or Renetta in Italy, where they are very popular for cooking and eating. Reinette apples are a group of different apple cultivars, which means they are specific types of apples grown by people, each with its own unique taste and look.

What are Reinette Apples?

Reinette apples are not just one type of apple. Instead, the name "Reinette" is used for many different apple varieties that share some common features. These apples often have a slightly rougher skin and a rich, complex flavor. They are known for being excellent for both eating fresh and for cooking, especially in pies and tarts.

History of Reinette Apples

Many Reinette apple varieties have been grown for hundreds of years. They are often older types of apples, sometimes called "heritage" or "heirloom" varieties. These apples were developed and grown long ago, before many of the modern apples you see in stores today. Their long history means they have been enjoyed by many generations!

Different Kinds of Reinette Apples

There are many different types of Reinette apples, each with its own special qualities. Here are some of the well-known ones:

• Reine des reinettes: This apple's name means "Queen of the Little Queens." It's a very popular variety, known for its sweet and tangy flavor.
• Reine des Reinettes Rouge: This is a red version of the "Queen of the Little Queens" apple. It is a diploid apple, meaning it has two sets of chromosomes in its cells, which is normal for most apples.
• Reinette Ananas: This apple has a unique flavor that reminds some people of pineapple.
• Reinette Baumann: Another distinct Reinette variety.
• Reinette Bergamotte: This is a very interesting type of apple. It's a graft-chimaera, which means it's a mix of an apple and a pear that grew together after being grafted. It's not a true hybrid, but a plant with tissues from both.
• Reinette Clochard: This apple is famous because it is one of the "parents" of the popular Chantecler apple.
• Reinette dorée: This means "Golden Reinette," suggesting its golden color.
• Reinette du Canada: A large, often flattened apple that is very popular in Canada and other places.
• Reinette grise de Lorient: This apple has a grayish-brown skin, which gives it its "grise" (gray) name.
• Reinette Newtown or Reinette Albemarle: An old American apple variety, known for its excellent keeping qualities.
• Ribston Pippin: While not directly named "Reinette," it is often grouped with these older, flavorful apples.

Here is a longer list of other Reinette apple varieties:

• Reinette à Longue Queue
• Reinette d'Amérique
• Reinette d'Armorique
• Blenheim Orange
• Reinette de Bretagne
• Reinette de Brive
• Reinette de Champagne
• Reinette de Chênée
• Cox's Orange Pippin
• Reinette de Flandre
• Reinette de France
• Reinette de l'Hopital
• Reinette de Landsberg
• Reinette de Savoie
• Reinette de Servin
• Reinette de Tournai
• Reinette d'Orléans
• Reinette du Mans
• Reinette Duquesne
• Reinette étoilée
• Reinette franche
• Reinette Hernaut
• Reinette jaune sucrée
• Reinette Oldenburg
• Reinette Sanguine du Rhin

See also

In Spanish: Manzana reineta para niños