Russet apple
Encyclopedia
Russeting on apple
s is a particular type of skin, slightly rough, usually with a greenish-brown to yellowish-brown colour. Many apple cultivar
s have some natural russeting, but some are almost entirely covered in it, notably the Egremont Russet
. Russet apples often exhibit a scent and flavour reminiscent of nuts
, and are often very sweet. Despite this, modern apple breeders rarely accept russeting in new apple cultivars. The amount of russeting can be affected by various factors including, weather
, disease
or pest damage and agrochemical applications (e.g., insecticides, fungicides and growth regulators).
Russet apples also go under the name "rusticoat", "russeting" and "leathercoat". The last name was known in Shakespeare's time; for instance, in Henry IV, part 2
, Davy says to Bardolph, "there's a dish of leathercoats for you".
Selected russet apples:
Apple
The apple is the pomaceous fruit of the apple tree, species Malus domestica in the rose family . It is one of the most widely cultivated tree fruits, and the most widely known of the many members of genus Malus that are used by humans. Apple grow on small, deciduous trees that blossom in the spring...
s is a particular type of skin, slightly rough, usually with a greenish-brown to yellowish-brown colour. Many apple cultivar
Cultivar
A cultivar'Cultivar has two meanings as explained under Formal definition. When used in reference to a taxon, the word does not apply to an individual plant but to all those plants sharing the unique characteristics that define the cultivar. is a plant or group of plants selected for desirable...
s have some natural russeting, but some are almost entirely covered in it, notably the Egremont Russet
Egremont Russet
The Egremont Russet is a cultivar of dessert apple, of the russet type. It has a rich, nutty flavour and crisp, firm and fairly juicy flesh.It was first recorded in 1872, and is believed to have been raised by the Earl of Egremont at Petworth in Sussex, UK....
. Russet apples often exhibit a scent and flavour reminiscent of nuts
Nut (fruit)
A nut is a hard-shelled fruit of some plants having an indehiscent seed. While a wide variety of dried seeds and fruits are called nuts in English, only a certain number of them are considered by biologists to be true nuts...
, and are often very sweet. Despite this, modern apple breeders rarely accept russeting in new apple cultivars. The amount of russeting can be affected by various factors including, weather
Weather
Weather is the state of the atmosphere, to the degree that it is hot or cold, wet or dry, calm or stormy, clear or cloudy. Most weather phenomena occur in the troposphere, just below the stratosphere. Weather refers, generally, to day-to-day temperature and precipitation activity, whereas climate...
, disease
Disease
A disease is an abnormal condition affecting the body of an organism. It is often construed to be a medical condition associated with specific symptoms and signs. It may be caused by external factors, such as infectious disease, or it may be caused by internal dysfunctions, such as autoimmune...
or pest damage and agrochemical applications (e.g., insecticides, fungicides and growth regulators).
Russet apples also go under the name "rusticoat", "russeting" and "leathercoat". The last name was known in Shakespeare's time; for instance, in Henry IV, part 2
Henry IV, Part 2
Henry IV, Part 2 is a history play by William Shakespeare, believed written between 1596 and 1599. It is the third part of a tetralogy, preceded by Richard II and Henry IV, Part 1 and succeeded by Henry V.-Sources:...
, Davy says to Bardolph, "there's a dish of leathercoats for you".
Selected russet apples:
- 'Acklam Russett'
- 'Adam's Pearmain'
- 'Blenheim OrangeBlenheim OrangeBlenheim Orange is a cultivar of apple. It was found at Woodstock, Oxfordshire near Blenheim in England in about 1740.A tailor named George Kempster planted the original kernel and the apple, known locally as Kempster's Pippin, began to be catalogued in about 1818...
' - 'Braddick's Nonpariel'
- 'Claygate PearmainClaygate PearmainClaygate Pearmain is a cultivar of apple. It was found at Claygate, Surrey in England in about 1822.The apple was found by John Braddick, growing in a hedge at Claygate. Braddick also discovered the 'Braddick Nonpareil' at about the same time and place...
' - 'Egremont RussetEgremont RussetThe Egremont Russet is a cultivar of dessert apple, of the russet type. It has a rich, nutty flavour and crisp, firm and fairly juicy flesh.It was first recorded in 1872, and is believed to have been raised by the Earl of Egremont at Petworth in Sussex, UK....
' - 'Golden Russet'
- 'Merton Russet'
- 'Ribston PippinRibston PippinRibston Pippin is a triploid cultivar of apple.-Synonyms:Essex Pippin, Beautiful Pippin, Formosa, Glory of York, Ribstone, Rockhill's Russet and Travers.-Origin:...
' - 'Ross Nonpariel'
- 'Roxbury RussetRoxbury RussetThe Roxbury Russet is an apple cultivar. It is believed to be the oldest variety of apple bred in the United States, having first been discovered and named in the mid-17th century in the former Town of Roxbury, part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony southwest of Boston.It is a greyish-green russet...
' (also known as Boston Russet) - 'St. Edmund's Pippin'
- 'Sam Young'
- 'Tydeman's Late Orange'
- 'Winston'