Russet apples are varieties andcultivars ofapples that regularly exhibitrusseting, partial or complete coverage with rough patches of greenish-brown to yellowish-brown colour. While russeting is generally an undesirable trait in modern cultivars, russet varieties are often seen as more traditional, and associated with aromatic flavours.
Many applecultivars have some natural russeting, but some are almost entirely covered in it, notably theEgremont Russet. Russet apples often exhibit a scent and flavour reminiscent ofnuts, 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 orpest damage andagrochemical applications (e.g.insecticides,fungicides andgrowth regulators).
Russet apples also go under the name "rusticoat", "russeting" and "leathercoat". The name "leathercoat" was known inShakespeare's time; for instance, inHenry IV, part 2, Davy says to Bardolph, "there's a dish of leathercoats for you".
