Rubens (Civni)

The flavour of Rubens has a classic apple ‘tang’ with a hint of melon.  This is a very good apple with medium well-balanced sweetness and an exceptional texture. The flesh ‘fractures’ as it is eaten giving quite a unique sensation. Rubens is a bi-coloured apple with skin that is striped with an attractive orange-red colouration. The skin is smooth and dry to touch, though can become slightly greasy or waxy when over-ripe. There are numerous small, brown lenticels. The shape is conical-truncated, and there can be slight ribbing under some growing conditions.

In 2010, Rubens was voted Britain’s tastiest apple at the National Fruit Show in Marden, Kent, UK.

Rubens is a mid-season apple, being harvested 7-10 days after Gala. Growers selected to plant Rubens are specifically chosen with regard to production factors affecting environmental protection.

Growers are attracted to Rubens Civni for its excellent productivity and good storage capabilities.

Good Fruit Guide Rating: *****

Rubens is a very attractive apple for those that like a good crunch to the texture and a great balance of sweetness to acidity.

Sweet, crunchy, juicy

Names: Civni; Rubens^®; USPP14177P3.

Origin: Rubens^® is the result of a cross between Gala and Elstar conducted in 1988 by plant breeders, Messrs Michelangelo Leis, Gianfranco Castagnoli and Alessio Martinelli, at C.I.V. Consorzio Italiano Vivaisti, Ferrara, in Italy. The aim of the breeders was to create an apple with good storage capabilities and acidity greater than Gala, but less than Elstar. Rubens^® is the trade-marked name of the variety, owned by C.I.V. The variety was released for commercial production in 2000. The US plant patent was granted in September 2003 and expired in December 2021 (?).

Grown in: Italy, Austria, Germany, Holland, UK, Belgium, Denmark, USA.

Harvest & Availability: Availability of Rubens in UK is generally as follows (Tesco is the most likely supermarket to stock the variety):

• January:                       UK, Holland
• February:                    UK, Holland
• March:                         UK, Holland
• April
• May
• June
• July
• August
• September
• October:                      UK, Holland
• November:                 UK, Holland
• December:                 UK, Holland

Websites:

Orange Pippin – Rubens

VOG – Rubens marketing information

Canadian Food Inspection – Rubens Plant Breeders Rights