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Reinette Grise du Canada apple

Reinette Grise du Canada is a popular French russet apple.  Its origins are not clear - it is possibly a sport of Reinette du Canada, but this is not certain.  The main difference is that the Reinette Grise has a far more complete russeted skin, whereas Reinette du Canada usually has only partial russeting.

The more consistent russeting means that the Reinette Grise is more widely grown commercially, and is the form most likely to be seen in French supermarkets, where confusingly it is usually sold as "Canada".  Like Reinette du Canada, Reinette Grise du Canada is a mainstay of French apple cookery.  Its spicy flavour and consistency when cooked also make it ideal for apple strudel.

Eaten fresh it has the sweet flavour typical of many russet apples.

USDA identification images for Reinette Grise du Canada

The identification paintings in the USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection span the years 1886 to 1942.

    Citation: U.S. Department of Agriculture Pomological Watercolor Collection. Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD 20705.

    See also


    Visitor reviews

    • 17 Jan 2015  UT, United States
      Thanks Dave! That's good to know that they are different. I grafted a pomme grise last year and will be grafting a reinette grise this year.
    • 24 Jun 2014  WASHINGTON, United States
      Matt g: Pomme Grise is an entirely different apple: smaller, heavily productive, no triploid and often used fresh or in cider. Its use as a cooker I have not yet heard. I look forward to growing PG soon.
    • 15 Feb 2013  UT, United States
      Is this apple also called Pomme Grise? Pomme Grise is from Canada and is closely linked with Reinette Grise.
    • 14 May 2012  DEVON, United Kingdom
      Our small orchard is on a windy site with clay soil and high rainfall - not ideal! Eight years ago I planted R G du C on M9 rootstock, staked low down. Fairly soon I observed canker, first on a branch, then on the trunk where the tree tie was. Also some fruit damage by magpies. I spared the tree and had 5 years of wonderful fruit, though I'll have to dig it up soon. This apple, 100% russeted, is the best cooker I have ever tasted. It keeps its shape when baked (you can peel the skin off after cooking). Also great stewed - doesn't need much sugar. I would recommend MM106 rootstock, unstaked for this variety. And probably not try to grow it in areas of high rainfall!

    Tree register

    United Kingdom

    Belgium

    Netherlands

    Spring blossom records for this variety

    2022 season

    • 18th April  2022  - tree owned by Cheuk in Amsterdam, Netherlands

    Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.


    Origins

    • Species: Malus domestica - Apple
    • UK National Fruit Collection accession: 1956-065

    Identification

    • Fruit colour: Yellow / Orange
    • Fruit size: Average
    • Fruit size: Large
    • Fruit shape: Round
    • Fruit shape: Conical
    • Fruit size: Very large
    • Fruit size: Variable

    Using

    • Picking season: Late
    • Keeping (of fruit): 1-2 months
    • Flavour quality: Very good
    • Flavour style (apples): Sweet/Sharp
    • Flavour style (apples): Sweeter
    • Cooking result: Textured puree
    • Cropping: Good
    • Food uses: Eating fresh
    • Food uses: Culinary
    • Food uses: Drying

    Growing

    • Flowering group: 4
    • Pollinating others: Poor
    • Ploidy: Triploid
    • Vigour: Vigorous
    • Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
    • Self-fertility: Not self-fertile

    Climate

    • Climate suitability: Temperate climates

    Where to buy fresh fruit

    The following orchards grow Reinette Grise du Canada:

    Canada




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