Apple Varieties We Grow
People always ask us which apple variety is our favorite, and always our answer is the same – we don’t have one, we like them all! Really, every one has its completely unique character and flavor. Of the over twenty varieties we grow and/or carry, every one is a different experience. We focus heavily on the great varieties developed by the University of Minnesota apple breeding program over the last 100 years. Their solid and favorite Fireside, Haralson, Keepsake, Honeygold and Regent are the foundation of the Minnesota apple industry. Their newer release Honeycrisp has become a break out variety, soon to be followed by Zestar and SweeTango. More recently the Snowsweet and First Kiss have been great performers, too. The U of M develops apples that like our climate! Minnesota hardly ranks in the nation in terms of boxes produced every year, but what we lack in quantity we make up for in quality!
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B51
This new variety features half its parentage from the Honeycrisp. It’s juicy, aromatic flesh shears when bitten into, and the apple has just the right amount of sweetness. The B51 will appeal to the raw apple snackers, and its beautiful color will entice customers of all ages. Nice snap in every bite Flesh is creamy white…
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Centennial Crab
Centennial Crabapple Large, red over orange crabapple that is excellent for fresh eating and sauce, but does not store well. Tree is very hardy, even in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 3. Introduced in 1957. Ripens mid- to late August.
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Chestnut Crabapple
Large, russeted crabapple with a rich, nutty flavor. Best for fresh eating or sauce. The fruit stores for 4 to 5 weeks. Introduced in 1949. Ripens early September. Origin: University of Minnesota, released 1946 Parentage: Siberian Crab x Malinda Size & Color: Big for a crab, up to 2″; orange with russet Flesh & Flavor:…
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Cortland
Origin: Cornell University, Geneva, New York, 1915 Parentage: McIntosh x Ben Davis Size & Color: Large with deep burgundy stripes over green/yellow Flesh & Flavor: Coarse, very white; rich, full, winey, aromatic flavor Uses: Eating, pies, sauce, cider (all purpose) Keeping: Three months
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Early Blush
Large, crunchy, juicy green fruit with red blush on one side and a tart flavor. Excellent for both fresh eating and cooking. The fruit will store for 2 to 4 weeks. Developed by U of M, but never officially released. We’ve been growing this variety since 1971. Origin: University of Minnesota, 1970 Parentage: unknown Size & Color: Large,…
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Fireside
Very large fruit with sweet flavor and fine-grained flesh good for fresh eating, salad, and baked apples. Tree is vigorous and weeping. Introduced in 1943. Origin: University of Minnesota, released 1943 Parentage: McIntosh x Longfield Size & Color: Large to huge; firey, intense, broken orange and red stripes over yellow Connell Red Fireside: Large to…
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First Kiss (aka Rave, MN55)
First Kiss, (formerly the MN55) the latest release from the University of MN, is the child of Honeycrisp and an Arkansas variety, resulting in an apple that tastes much like Honeycrisp but is more heat-tolerant and ripens earlier.
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Haralson
Firm texture with a complex tart flavor. Good for fresh eating and cooking. Especially good pie apple. The fruit will store for 4 to 5 months. Origin: University of Minnesota, released 1924 Parentage: Malinda x Wealthy Size & Color: Medium; broken red striping over green/yellow Flesh & Flavor: Crisp, very juicy, very lively sweet/tart with…
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Honeycrisp
Large, dappled red fruit with a well-balanced flavor, outstanding crispness and juiciness. Best for fresh eating and salads as the flesh is slow to brown. Fruit will easily store 7 or more months, a benefit for small commercial growers. With more than 3 million trees planted, Honeycrisp is easily the most popular U of M…
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Honeygold
Golden to yellow-green fruit that is sweet, crisp, and juicy. Excellent for fresh eating and also good for cooking. The fruit will store for 2 to 3 months. Origin: University of Minnesota, released 1970 Parentage: Golden Delicious x Haralson Size & Color: Medium; bright yellow with prominent brown lenticels Flesh & Flavor: Crunchy like a…
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Keepsake
Origin: University of Minnesota, released 1978 Parentage: MN 447 x Northern Spy Size & Color: Smallish, blocky; full deep burgundy blush Flesh & Flavor: Dense, hard, crisp, juicy, spicy, rosy, some starch, not a typical apple flavor Uses: Eating, cider Keeping: Well-named, very good keeper, crisp thru February Comments: A secret that’s too well-kept. Deserves…
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KinderKrisp
KinderKrisp is a brand new apple variety developed by an independent fruit breeder in Minnesota. Exceptional flavor and crisp texture, like its parent Honeycrisp, this early ripening apple features sweeter, smaller fruit. Perfect size for snacking or kid’s lunches.
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McIntosh
Origin: Dundela, Ontario, Canada, 1811 Parentage: Unknown. Discovered as wild seedling Size & Color: Medium; glossy red-maroon over green Flesh & Flavor: Fine, juicy, cidery Uses: Eating, apple sauce, pies, cider Keeping: Crisp for a month, less crisp for 6 months
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Pazazz
A larger variety apple, the outer skin of the Pazazz apple has a unique color pattern. The background color is a greenish yellow with a red brush stroke pattern overlay. Having a flavor similar to that of the Honeycrisp, the Pazazz apple has a crisp texture and offers an exceptionally sweet and subtly tart flavor.
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Regent
Appealing red-striped apple with well-balanced flavor that is good for eating and cooking. The fruit will store for 4 to 5 months. Origin: University of Minnesota, released 1964 Parentage: Red Duchess x Red Delicious Size & Color: Medium; bright red striping over yellow Flesh & Flavor: Crisp, sweet with a hint of starch, juicy and…
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RiverBelle
With a texture similar to Honeycrisp, the sweet Riverbelle has an explosive flavor. They are crisp and juicy, ideal for fresh eating. Bite into a Riverbelle and you will be amazed that you may have found another new favorite! Origin: Shefelbine Orchards and Pumpkins, Holmen, WI Size & Color: Large; broken orange stripes over yellow Flesh &…
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SnowSweet
Savory, sweet tasting apple, with a slight tart balance and rich overtones. Amazingly slow to turn brown when cut. Appealing, large, bronze-red blush fruit. Excellent for fresh eating, snack trays, and salads. Introduced in 2006. Ripens mid-October.
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Sweet Sixteen
Crisp and juicy with an exotic yellow flesh and a very sweet, unusual sugar cane or spicy cherry candy flavor. The fruit stores for 5 to 8 weeks. Tree is very vigorous and fruit may be subject to premature drops. Ripens mid- to late September. Origin: University of Minnesota, released 1977 Parentage: MN 447 x…
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SweeTango®
SweeTango® Minneiska Apples are juicy and sweet with hints of fall spices. This apple’s flavor, balanced by vibrant acidity, dances to a long and satisfying finish on the palate. It also inherited the crisp texture of ‘Honeycrisp’ and juiciness of ‘Zestar!®.’ Appealing Appearance This blushed apple, with deep red coloration over a yellow breaking background,…
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U of M #1622
Origin: University of Minnesota Parentage: Haralson x Esopus Spitzenburg (Thomas Jefferson’s favorite apple) Size & Color: Large, round, slightly muted red Flesh & Flavor: Crunchy white flesh, sharp apple flavor Uses: Eating & cooking Keeping: Through mid-winter
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Zestar!
Large, crunchy, juicy red fruit with a sprightly sweet-tart flavor. Excellent for both fresh eating and cooking. The fruit will store for 6 to 8 weeks. Introduced in 1999. Origin: University of Minnesota, 1999 Parentage: State Fair x MN 1691 Size & Color: Large, with bright red over yellow Flesh & Flavor: Crisp, slightly starchy;…