Reinette Clochard Apples
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
Description/Taste
Reinette Clochard apples are generally considered a medium-sized varietal but can vary with growing conditions. The fruit exhibits a round to oblate shape with flattened poles and a broad, curved middle. Some apples showcase faint ribbing across the shoulders near the russeted stem cavity, and the stems are typically short, woody, and slender or removed altogether before the fruits are sold. Reinette Clochard apples ripen from green to golden yellow and are enveloped in large patches of textured, grey-green, brown, and bronze russet. The thick skin is also covered in russet lenticels, giving the surface a firm, rough feel. Underneath the skin, the ivory-to-pale yellow flesh is dense, aqueous, firm, and fine-grained, with a crisp, succulent consistency. The flesh also encases a central fibrous core filled with tiny black-brown seeds that are inedible and should be discarded. When eaten with the skin, Reinette Clochard apples have a delicate, breaking consistency as the flesh is soft, but the skin is chewy, creating a pleasant textural contrast. Ripe apples release a fragrant, perfumed aroma, and the flesh contains sweet, sharp, and tart flavors. The variety is initially acidic and sprightly. In storage, the apple becomes mellower and sweeter with a musky undertone and fruity nuances.
Seasons/Availability
Reinette Clochard apples are harvested in the late fall through early winter, typically between mid-October and November. Once picked, the variety can be professionally stored and sold in late spring.
Current Facts
Reinette Clochard apples, botanically classified as Malus domestica, are a French variety belonging to the Rosaceae family. The late-season apples are an heirloom cultivar grown as a small-scale commercial variety since at least the 19th century. Reinette Clochard apples are known by many regional names in France, including Reinette de Parthenay, Reinette de Clochard, Reinette Parthenaise, Clocharde, Rochelle, and several others. Historically, the variety was valued for its cold hardiness, disease resistance, productive nature, and ability to be shipped long distances. In the modern day, Reinette Clochard apples are rare and are only produced in limited quantities as specialty heirlooms. The variety is praised for its dual-purpose capabilities and is sought by chefs and home cooks for use in fresh and cooked culinary preparations.
Nutritional Value
Reinette Clochard apples have not been extensively studied for their nutritional properties. Apples, in general, are a source of fiber to regulate and stimulate the digestive tract and antioxidants to reduce inflammation and support overall bodily health. Apples also provide vitamins C, B, and E to strengthen the immune system, aid in energy production, and guard the cells against the damage caused by free radicals. Beyond vitamins, apples contain minerals like potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron. Potassium helps the body balance fluid levels, while calcium protects bones and teeth. Magnesium controls nerve functions, and iron develops the protein hemoglobin for oxygen transport through the bloodstream. Other nutrients include manganese, zinc, and copper.
Applications
Reinette Clochard apples have a sweet-tart taste suited for fresh and cooked preparations. The variety is a multi-purpose table apple that can be sliced raw and eaten as a snack or cooked as a sweet ingredient in dishes. Reinette Clochard apples are commonly chopped into green salads or served as a topping over crepes, oatmeal, and other breakfast dishes. They can also be sliced and layered in sandwiches or blended into juices and smoothies. In addition to fresh preparations, Reinette Clochard apples hold their shape when cooked and are popular for baked goods. In France, the variety is thinly sliced and added to tarts, galettes, cakes, and pies. They are also cooked into crumbles, used as filling for turnovers or baked in puff pastry. Try stuffing and baking Reinette Clochard apples whole as a simple dessert. The variety can also be simmered into jams, jellies, compotes, and syrups. It is important to note that Reinette Clochard apples have an ideal flavoring that complements both sweet and savory dishes. The apples are sometimes incorporated into soups, shredded into quiche, or roasted with root vegetables as a side dish to meat. They can also be cooked into a savory sauce. Reinette Clochard apples pair well with nuts such as almonds, pine, pecans, and walnuts, cheeses including gouda, goat, brie, and gruyere, honey, maple syrup, brown sugar, and spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Whole, unwashed Reinette Clochard apples will last for several weeks to months when stored in a cool, dry, and dark location like a cellar or the refrigerator’s crisper drawer. The variety can stay fresh for 3 to 5 months in ideal storage conditions.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Reinette Clochard apples are rumored to have acquired their peculiar name from their hardiness and flavor. The word “clochard” translates from French to mean “tramp or homeless person.” It is uncertain why the apple was initially given this name, but some experts point to the variety’s long storage life as the reason. Reinette Clochard apples can be stored for several months, leading them to be a variety that is transported on journeys or kept in shops for an extended period. The variety can “wander” with people and still stay fresh. Other theories point to the variety’s arrival as a spontaneous mutation in an orchard, making it a “wandering” seedling. The descriptor reinette also has several debated meanings. Reinette may have been derived from the Latin “renatus,” meaning “rebirth or reborn.” The first explanation connects the word as a descriptor for apple varieties grafted or “reborn” on an existing tree. Reinette has also been used as a descriptor for apple varieties with esteemed qualities. The other and final theory of Reinette is traced by etymologists to the old French word “rainette,” meaning “frog.” This descriptor was thought to have been given to apples with skin similar in appearance and texture to the belly of a frog. Regardless of the true name origins, Reinette Clochard apples have retained their distinct moniker for centuries and have become a favored heirloom variety throughout France.
Geography/History
Reinette Clochard apples are native to western France and were thought to have arisen from the commune of Secondigny in the Deux-Sèvres department. Much of the variety’s parentage and history are unknown. Most records hypothesize that the heirloom variety may been present since the 17th century but was widely grown in France by the mid-to-late 19th century in the Vendée department and Chantenay commune in the Pays de la Loire region. Some sources also mention the variety was a popular apple for export as it could be transported without damage, especially as fresh food aboard ships. Throughout history, Reinette Clochard apples have experienced periods of popularity and obscurity. Today, Reinette Clochard apples are primarily grown in France and are sold directly through growers, local markets, and select retailers, notably in Paris. The variety is also exported from France in small quantities to Russia, Belgium, and Spain. Outside of France, Reinette Clochard apples are planted as a specialty heirloom through growers in the United States and England.
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