Rajka

On the small side of large, my Rajka has a classically tapered shape and a streaky red blush. ¶ 

That blush, while attenuated on what must have been a shaded side, essentially covers the entire apple. There is just a little underlying yellow peeping through. Some of the blush is saturated and deep. ¶ 

A second sample is squat and oblate, and the blush is deep and saturated over a larger area. Both are slightly lopsided and lean to one side.

The ribbing is very slight and there are tiny crinkles of russet in the darkest part of the blush. Many of the lenticels are russeted too, and those that aren't are small, faint, and tan.

Rajka bears scents that are promisingly sweet. So, let's eat!

Rajka-rama

My Rajka is yielding crisp with a grainy texture, a sign of being past prime. The flesh is light yellow and medium-grained, sweet and well balanced.

This Rajka's flavors are indistinct, but I get cane sugar, a hint of pineapple, and a general creaminess. Things open with a passing floral note.

The result has a lively quality and "good bones" in the flavor department that make me suppose a better sample might be quite rewarding.

Notes

"Rajka" is the Czech word for the bird-of-paradise. The apple is a product of that country's Institute for Experimental Botany. 

It has a complicated pedigree that includes Golden Delicious and James Grieve. Orange Pippin relates this pomological heritage to Raijka's flavors.

Although the Pippin describes Rajka as a summer variety, Keeper's Nursery, which sells Rajka trees (and hundreds of others) characterizes it as ready in mid-October.

Alas, sub-par samples are possible any time.

The reviews of this apple on Orange Pippin, some from home orchardists, are worth reading.