The reineta apple It is an ancient fruit that stands out not only for its unique flavor, but also for its extraordinary versatility in the kitchen and its remarkable nutritional properties. This article delves into all the characteristics, varieties, optimal growing conditions and culinary uses of the Reineta apple, comprehensively integrating the most detailed and up-to-date information from the best specialized resources.
Origin and History of the Reineta Apple
The reineta apple It is one of the oldest and most prized apple varieties in Europe. Its exact origin is uncertain, although it is traditionally associated with France, where it was documented as early as the 16th century. Over the centuries, the Reineta apple has spread to various European territories, including parts of Spain (such as El Bierzo, in León), Germany, and parts of the Basque Country, accumulating a rich cultural and culinary heritage in each region.
The name "reineta" could be related to the idea of "queen of apples" due to its exceptional quality, or to the green color of some varieties, similar to that of frogs (in French, "reinette"). The most famous variety, called the Canadian reineta, is actually native to France. Other varieties have adapted particularly well to regions such as northern Spain or Germany, showing differences in shape, color, and flavor.
Physical and Organoleptic Characteristics
- Skin: Rough or rough, with a color that varies between green, brownish yellow and brown tones, sometimes with reddish or grayish hues.
- Pulp: White, firm, crispy and juicy.
- Taste: It stands out for its balance of sweetness and acidity, resulting in a sweet and sour yet refreshing taste. The most prized varieties have a pronounced acidity, making them ideal for culinary use, especially in baking.
- Form: They have a rounded and somewhat flattened appearance, with a thick, short stem. They are usually medium or large in size.
- Crispyness and juiciness: Very crispy, with a high degree of juiciness and low flouriness.
This apple is easily recognized by its somewhat rustic skin and a background color that can range from dark green (in the white reineta) to greenish gray (in the gray reineta), with brown or gray specks known as russeting or rust, which cover a large part of the surface.
Reineta Apple Varieties
There are numerous subvarieties of Reinette apple, some of the most notable for their quality and popularity are:
- White Reineta: Yellow skin with brown specks, white flesh with slight pink tones, sweet and aromatic flavor.
- Grey Reineta: Green skin with grey tones, white flesh with reddish hues, very acidic and refreshing.
- Red Queen: Red skin with white specks, white flesh with pink tones, juicy and sweet.
- Pippin of Canada: Yellowish-green skin with brown specks, white flesh with subtle green tones, acidic flavor and consistent texture.
- Reineta del Bierzo: Yellow skin with red stripes, white flesh with pink hues, aromatic and balanced.
- Errezil Sagarra (Basque Country): Yellowish-green skin with brown tones, firm flesh, sweet and sour flavor, and crunchy texture. Highly prized in its area of origin.
Some sources count more than eighty historical subvarieties of reineta, each adapted to its region and with unique nuances in flavor and form.
Nutritional Properties and Health Benefits
The reineta apple is a functional food, packed with essential nutrients which provide multiple benefits to the body:
- Dietary fiber: It provides a feeling of satiety and promotes intestinal transit, helping to regulate the digestive system.
- Antioxidants: It is the apple variety with the highest amount of antioxidants, which helps combat cellular aging, oxidative damage, and cardiovascular disease.
- Vitamin C: Its content can be up to five times higher than that of other apples, boosting the immune system and resistance to infections.
- Iron: High iron content, which facilitates oxygen transport and prevents anemia. This also explains its rapid oxidation upon contact with air.
- Potassium and folic acid: They contribute to the proper functioning of the nervous system and cardiovascular health.
- Pectin: Its high content helps form gels and jams, regulates blood glucose, and contributes to cholesterol control.
Furthermore, the reineta apple It has diuretic, purifying, and anti-inflammatory effects. It is credited with improving oral health, vision, and the immune system. The combination of sweetness and acidity making it a particularly refreshing fruit, appreciated by those seeking less conventional flavours.
Culinary Uses and Recipes with Reineta Apple
La versatility of the reineta apple This is one of its greatest attractions. Its flavor is enhanced in both sweet and savory dishes. Some of its most common uses in cooking include:
- Consumption fresh: As a snack, in salads or for dessert.
- Cake shop: It is the preferred variety for apple pies, strudels, soufflés, cakes, sponge cakes and pastries.
- Traditional desserts: Baked apples (baked with sugar and cinnamon), compotes, jams, jellies and purees.
- Savory cuisine: It is a perfect accompaniment to roasted meats, especially pork and chicken, fish and cured cheeses.
- Cider and juices: In some regions, the reineta is the basis for making cider and fermented beverages.
- Innovative gastronomy: Famous chefs use it as a garnish, in sauces or for sophisticated fillings.
Featured Recipes with Reineta Apple
Traditional baked apple
After washing and coreing the apples, place them hollow-side up. Add sugar and butter to the hollow and bake them at 180°C for about 25 minutes. Once removed, sprinkle with sugar and serve warm. The result is a simple, aromatic, and comforting dessert.
Reinette apple pie
Peel and slice 400 grams of reineta apples into thin slices, then place them on a pricked sheet of puff pastry. Add sugar to taste and butter, bake at 180°C for 20 minutes, and brush with apricot jam. This is a classic recipe that highlights the sweet and sour flavor of the reineta apple.
Chicken with baked reineta apple
- 4 chicken thighs
- 2 Reineta apples, quartered
- 1 cebolla great
- 2 cloves of garlic
- Fresh rosemary, salt, pepper and olive oil
- Brown the onion and garlic, place them on top of the seasoned chicken thighs on a tray, add the apples and rosemary, and bake everything together at 200°C for 35-40 minutes.
- The combination of flavors is particularly harmonious and highlights the culinary potential of the reineta apple in savory dishes.
More culinary applications
- Homemade cakes, compotes and jams
- Gourmet dishes: pralines, baked apple ice creams, spiced red wine sauces
- Purée or coulis to accompany foie, meats or cheeses
Denominations of Origin and Production Zones of Excellence
Among all the regions producing reineta apples in Spain, the one that stands out is Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) Reineta del Bierzo Apple, a distinctive mark that certifies the authenticity, quality and traditional techniques in its cultivation and handling.
Apples with PDO have:
- Greater hardness and crunchiness than other varieties
- Intense aroma, a mix of grass, ripe apple and vanilla
- Balanced flavor between sweetness and acidity
- Typical scab or rust that covers a large part of the fruit
- Long-term preservation thanks to the waxy layer of its skin
The PDO not only guarantees quality, but also represents an asset cultural and economic for the Bierzo region and other producing areas. They preserve agricultural traditions, promote rural development, foster gastronomic tourism, and facilitate environmental sustainability.
Optimal Climate and Soil for Growing Reineta Apples
El reineta apple tree requires specific agroclimatic conditions to express its full potential:
- Climate: Temperate and humid, with cold winters and moderately warm summers. Reinette apples require chilling hours in winter and a mild spring.
- Precipitation: Places with rainfall of around 750 mm per year and availability of water for irrigation during dry seasons.
- Altitude: It prefers low valleys (about 500 meters above sea level), although it adapts to higher areas.
- Ground: Rich in organic matter, well-drained, with a neutral or slightly acidic pH. Fertile soils with good water retention are crucial.
The apple tree is a medium-to-tall tree with grayish bark and oval leaves. Its flowering is spectacular, with white and pink flowers, and the fruit usually has abundant lenticels (small, pale dots). The Reineta variety is partially self-sterile, so planting other apple varieties is recommended to promote cross-pollination and produce quality fruit.
Specific Planting and Care Techniques
Planting and Propagation
- Get the plant: It can be purchased at specialized nurseries. It's possible to germinate seeds (a longer process with variable results) or use grafts on dwarfing rootstocks, which accelerate the onset of production and facilitate handling.
- Planting time: It is preferably carried out during winter, taking advantage of the tree's dormancy.
- Spacing: Traditionally, large planting areas are left if associated with livestock pastures.
Irrigation and Fertilization
- Early years: Frequent and regular watering to promote root development. More abundant in summer and less in winter.
- In full development: Underwatering reduces fruit size and quality. Overwatering reduces sweetness and promotes disease.
- Subscriber: Combine organic matter and mineral fertilizers, especially in spring and late summer. When growing in pots, add liquid fertilizer every month.
Pruning and Maintenance
- Annual pruning: Essential for removing unproductive, dry branches and improving the tree's ventilation and lighting. This results in higher fruit quality and size.
- Training and renewal pruning: Adapted to the age of the tree and type of production (intensive or traditional).
Plagues and diseases
- Fungal diseases: Powdery mildew, downy mildew, and mottled disease. Preventive treatment in winter and certified fungicides are recommended.
- Pests: Caterpillars, mealybugs, aphids. Apply selective insecticides when the first symptoms are identified.
- Integrated management measures: Crop rotation, monitoring, and biological treatments.
Additional tips
- Excess water and humidity can promote the growth of fungi and root rot.
- Protect the bloom from late spring frosts to ensure a bountiful harvest.
- Harvest the fruit manually and carefully to avoid bruising, as damaged areas turn black and the pulp loses flavor and rots more quickly.
Conservation and Storage
Reinette apples are characterized by their excellent storage capacity.The natural wax layer covering the skin reduces water evaporation and allows the fruit to be stored in optimal conditions for several months (or even up to a year, in cool, dry environments).
As the fruit is stored, its skin changes color from green to yellow, and its texture goes from crispy to more tender and floury. The aroma intensifies, and the flesh adapts perfectly to long cooking times, dissolving and enhancing its flavor.
For optimal conservation:
- Store in cool, well-ventilated places without direct light.
- Avoid sudden changes in temperature and shocks.
- Separate apples that are damaged or overripe, as they can accelerate the ripening of the others.
Cultural Aspects and Tradition
The reineta apple is part of the fruit and cultural heritage from various regions. In the Basque Country, for example, the Errezil Sagarra is the focus of an annual fair dedicated to celebrating its quality and derived products, such as cider and traditional desserts. In El Bierzo, the PDO represents not only culinary quality but also a symbol of local identity.
The cultivation of Reinette apples has historically been regulated by ordinances protecting these trees due to their importance as a food source and a key part of the local economy. Today, interest in traditional varieties and their distinctive quality has once again boosted their cultivation and consumption.
The Reineta apple's ability to adapt to different climates and soils, along with its nutritional value and balanced flavor between sweetness and acidity, have positioned it as one of the most valued fruits by both consumers and catering professionals. The Reinette apple is a gastronomic and cultural heritage. It is a variety that, despite not being the most well-known in mass markets, offers an unsurpassed flavor, texture and versatilityIts sustainable cultivation, nutritional value, and presence in traditional and modern recipes make it an essential gem for those who appreciate the authentic flavors and distinctive quality of local produce.
