Rubinette Apples
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
Description/Taste
Rubinette apples vary in size, depending on growing conditions, and average 7 to 8 centimeters in diameter with a round, conic, or slightly flattened shape. The fruit features a long, slender, brown stem connected to a lightly russeted cavity, and the skin is semi-thin, taut, and textured, also covered in occasional patches of russet. Rubinette apples are known for their more subdued, matte coloring, and ripen to golden yellow-green base hues enveloped in red blush and striping. The blush ranges from dark red to orange, varying with saturation, and features prominent lenticels scattered across the surface. Underneath the skin, the yellow flesh is firm, dense, aqueous, and fine-grained with a crisp, succulent consistency. The flesh also encases a central fibrous core filled with tiny black-brown seeds. Rubinette apples emit a fruity, subtle, spice-filled aroma and are edible raw once ripe. The variety is known for its balanced sugar and acid ratios, creating a rich, sweet, and sharp honeyed flavor with nuances reminiscent of vanilla, citrus, pears, and spice.
Seasons/Availability
Rubinette apples are available in the fall, typically harvested in late September and early October. Once picked, they can be sold in markets into the winter.
Current Facts
Rubinette apples, botanically classified as Malus domestica, are a Swiss variety belonging to the Rosaceae family. The mid-to-late-season apple was developed in the 20th century and has received worldwide recognition for its complex yet balanced flavor, a trait inherited from its parentage of Cox Orange Pippin and Golden Delicious. Rubinette apple trees produce fruits with a consistent flavor, no matter the yield size, and the fruits are a sought-after specialty variety for fresh-eating apples. Despite their renowned taste, Rubinette apples are challenging to grow, as they are slow-maturing and prone to scab, a destructive disease affecting apples. This has limited the variety to small-scale commercial production worldwide. Rubinette apples are primarily eaten fresh but can also be utilized in a wide array of sweet or savory preparations. It is worth noting that there is also a natural red sport of the original variety called Red Rubinette, Rubinette Rosso, or Razubex. This sport is distinct from the original and is considered a separate variety from Rubinette.
Nutritional Value
Rubinette apples have not been extensively studied for their nutritional properties. Apples, in general, are a source of fiber to aid digestion and contain vitamins A, B, C, K, and E, which help maintain healthy organs, support faster wound healing, protect cells against free radical damage, contribute to energy production, and strengthen the immune system. Apples also contain minerals in varying amounts, including copper, manganese, iron, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, and zinc. These minerals help the body produce red blood cells, build proteins for oxygen transport through the bloodstream, balance fluid levels, promote bone and tooth development, and control daily nerve functions.
Applications
Rubinette apples have a sweet and sour taste suited for fresh and cooked preparations. The variety is mainly enjoyed raw, as it is said to have a balanced, complex flavor. Rubinette apples can also be served on cheese boards, chopped into salads, sliced for sandwiches, and topped on toast, or placed as an edible garnish over porridge and breakfast oats. The variety can be used in any preparation calling for Cox Orange Pippin apples and is sometimes added to juice and cider blends. In addition to fresh dishes, Rubinette apples are a versatile variety that can be incorporated into baked goods like pies, tarts, crumbles, and crisps. In Switzerland, apples are popularly battered and fried into ring-shaped fritters called Öpfelchüechli. They can also be mixed with spices and baked, incorporated into scones and muffins, or caramelized and poured over ice cream as a decadent dessert. Rubinette apples pair well with spices like cardamom, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, and allspice, flavorings, including maple syrup, brown sugar, honey, and spiced ghee, and nuts such as almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, and walnuts. Whole, unwashed Rubinette apples will keep for several weeks when stored in a cool, dry, and dark location, such as a cellar or the refrigerator’s crisper drawer. In professional storage, the variety can be stored for 1 to 2 months.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Rubinette apples are also known under the name Rafzubin, a moniker derived from the apple’s site of origin. Rafz is a municipality located near the border of Switzerland and Germany, known for its areas of agricultural land interspersed with forests. Rubinette apples were created on land owned by the Hauenstein family, who had established a nursery in the area in 1890. The Hauenstein family continued to purchase additional land into the early 1900s for various purposes, including a farm, restaurant, and seed business. Later, in 1927, W. Hauenstein & Sons was founded by Walter Hauenstein and his seven sons, each of whom was in charge of a different part of the business. The first Walter Hauenstein passed away in 1934, but was survived by his sons, including one who was also named Walter, who created Rubinette apples. Later in 1993, Promo-Fruit AG was established as a subsidiary of Hauenstein AG, Baumschulen, CH-8197 Rafz. This company specializes in marketing and licensing fruit plant varieties, including Rubinette, in the modern day.
Geography/History
Rubinette apples are native to Switzerland and were developed in the municipality of Rafz in the canton of Zurich by breeder Walter Hauenstein. The variety was created in the 1960s when Hauenstein allowed Golden Delicious apple trees to be openly pollinated by other varieties. Hauenstein sought to create an improved Golden Delicious apple with enhanced flavor depth. Rubinette apples are hypothesized to have been created from Cox Orange Pippin apples, an heirloom cultivar revered for its complex flavoring, and Golden Delicious. Many of the apple’s characteristics are inherited from its Cox Orange Pippin parentage. Rubinette apples were selectively bred and evaluated for over eighteen years before they were released to the public under the name Rafzubin. Over time, the variety was rebranded under the name Rubinette for commercial release worldwide. Today, Rubinette apples are grown on a small scale for commercial purposes throughout Europe and in select regions worldwide. The variety has become more of a specialty cultivar due to its challenging growth characteristics and is sold for its rich flavor in fresh markets and through select retailers and wholesalers.
Rubinette Apples for sale around the world shared on the Specialty Produce App
