They have yellowish-green skin with orange flushes and red stripes, with such a heavy covering of rough, yellowish-brown russet that some say it looks more like a potato.
Inside, the flesh is crisp, off-white, finely-textured, and firm. It has a sharp taste with a balance of sweetness and tartness. The flavour mellows in storage, becoming even nutty tasting, some feel.
The tree starts to produce good crops while the tree is still quite young. Its own pollen is sterile.
Cooking Tips
For fresh-eating.
Storage Hints
Stores well.
History Notes
Zabergau Reinette Apples were developed in 1885 in Hausen an der Zaber, in the Zabergäu region of Heilbronn district of what is now Baden-Württemberg state, Germany. It was grown from a seed. In 1974, Hausen an der Zaber was incorporated into the city of Brackenheim.
Named for the Zabergäu region.
Sources
Hauser, Kevin. How to Plan and Plant an Instructional Orchard at Your Southern California School. Kuffel Creek Press, Riverside, California. 2008.