The 'Rheinische Schafsnase' is also called 'Apfelmuser' and is ideal for making apple sauce. However, the tree needs an optimal location and good care. Here you can find out how to properly grow and care for the 'Rhenish Sheep's Nose'.
The 'Rheinische Schafsnase' is an apple with high standards, which only develops large, spicy apples with a fine honey aroma under the best conditions. The fruit breaks down into a frothy applesauce and is therefore sometimes called 'Apfelmuser'.
Other synonyms for the variety are 'Deutsche Schafsnase', 'Frankfurter Matapfel', 'Leichter Matapfel' and 'Grenadier'.
'Rhenish Sheep's Nose': Profile
| Synonyms | 'Apfelmuser', 'Deutsche Schafnase', 'Frankfurter Matapfel', 'Leichter Matapfel', 'Grenadier' |
| Fruit | medium to large; golden yellow ground color with bright red marbling when fully ripe |
| Flavour | juicy, spicy, sour or honey-flavoured depending on location |
| Yield | rather tall and regular; tends to alternate in cold areas |
| Harvest time | from mid-August |
| Maturity for pleasure | from September |
| Shelf Life | medium; Can be stored until September |
| Growth | strong at first, later medium strong |
| Climate | not suitable for windy, cool and cold altitudes |
| Diseases and Pests | very susceptible to apple scab, fruit tree canker, fire blight, powdery mildew, apple bug |
Origin and history of the apple
The origin of the 'Rhenish Sheep's Nose' is unclear: according to its name, its origin in the Rhineland is assumed. There it was allegedly first mentioned around the year 1600 as 'Apfelmuser'. Even today, the variety is often found near the Main, the Danube and the Rhine. On the other hand, the variety is often used as a synonym for the apple variety 'Grenadier'. Thisis said to come from the United Kingdom, where it is said to have been presented for the first time in 1862. Her breeder received a Victoria Medal of Honor and was also recognized by the Royal Horticultural Society. If you compare the fruits of 'Grenadier' and 'Rheinischer Schafsnase', you will notice similarities but also significant differences. A close relationship between the varieties is possible. For example, the 'Grenadier' could have developed through a random mutation of the 'Apfelmuser', or a crossing partner brought in other properties.
How does the 'Rheinische Schafnase' apple taste and what does it look like?
The apples of the 'Rheinische Schafsnase' are medium-sized to large and can be round, flattened or conical in shape, which is usually very uniform. Five clear edges (fruit ribs) are often recognizable. The stem is quite short and thick and sits deep in the stem fossa, not protruding or hardly protruding from it. The basic color of the skin is green, with increasing maturity more dark green-yellow, finally golden yellow. The covering color is only developed on the sunny side and forms bright red, irregular strokes up to an almost extensively marbled red colouration. The lenticels are clearly visible on the entire skin.
Underneath the hard skin of the 'Rhenish Sheep's Nose' is a greenish-white, later yellowish-white, juicy flesh. It has a medium to coarse cell structure and a spicy taste. The aroma is strongly related to the cultivation conditions: in unsuitable locations, the apples are described as sour with sufficient sweetness and no special aroma. In other places, there is apparently a taste of honey that is found to be very tasty.
Cultivation and care of the 'Rhenish Sheep's Nose': This is important to note
The 'Rhenish Sheep's Nose' initially grows strongly and upright, later becoming medium-strong. After the youth phase, many broad fruiting branches emerge, on which there are a number of fruiting short shoots. The tree grows to medium height on medium-growing rootstocks such as M7, so it does not grow unchecked. An annual pruning of the leading branches and the fruit wood is recommended in order to maintain high fruit quality. You can learn more about this in our article on pruning apple trees.
It needs a sufficiently good, warm and nutrient-rich soil, are optimalsandy loamy soils suitable. Heavy, clayey soils and also very sandy ones are therefore not suitable for cultivation. If in doubt, the future location should be extensively and deeply upgraded with plenty of mature compost, clay powder or high-quality potting soil such as our Plantura organic universal soil.
The 'Rhenish Sheep's Nose' is also susceptible to frost: Cold altitudes, cool, damp valleys and wind-open, rough areas lead to frost damage to the bark and wood.
But a place in full sun is necessary for the 'Rheinische Schafsnase' not a must: it also grows satisfactorily in semi-shade, as long as sufficient air movement ensures that diseases and pests do not have it too easy. Unfortunately, the 'Rhenish Sheep's Nose' is also highly susceptible to apple scab and fruit tree canker, both of which occur primarily in damp and cold microclimates. Fire blight and powdery mildew as well as the Nordic apple bug also occur with above-average frequency on the 'Rhenish Sheep's Nose'. The best possible location and good care are the most effective ways to prevent this.
The light pink flowers appear mid-early to late and are not very susceptible to frost. The 'Rheinische Schafsnase' produces plenty of pollen and is a reliable pollinator for the 'Goldparmäne', 'Cox Orange', 'Landsberger Renette', 'Champagne Renette', 'Luxenburger Renette' and practically all other medium-early reinettes, all of which also grow it in the be able to fertilize in return.
In the best locations and with the right care, the yield of the 'Rhenish Sheep's Nose' is quite good and regular. In locations that are too cold or after a radical pruning, the tree goes into alternation all too easily, i.e. it begins to set extremely many and then almost no fruits every change of year.
Rheinische Schafsnase apple: harvest and use
In very mild locations, apples for storage can be harvested from the 'Rhenish Sheep's Nose' tree as early as mid-August. Under the best storage conditions - i.e. cool, damp and dark - they keep until December at the latest. Ripe fruits of the 'Rheinische Schafsnase' are not wind-resistant, so they fall easily to the ground and get bruises because the shell is not pressure-resistant. The fruit is ripe for consumption from September and can then also be optimally used. As an excellent economic apple, which breaks down into a frothy mush when cooked, it is particularly suitable for cider, preserving and making desserts. Its special consistency after cooking also earned it its trivial name "Apfelmuser".a.
A special feature of the 'Rhenish Sheep's Nose' is that it retains its color during processing, i.e. the flesh does not oxidize and brown as quickly on the cut edges.
The 'Rheinische Schafsnase' is too diva-like for you and you want a variety whose robustness you can rely on at (almost) every location? Then we recommend that you take a closer look at the 'Sonnenwirtsapfel', a Baden-Württemberg regional variety and a real all-round talent.