The 4 New 'It' Apples (That Aren't Honeycrisp)

Expect to see these varieties on shelves in the near future, if you haven’t seen them yet.

Food and wine / Own variety management / Crunch Time Apple Growers / Getty Images

Apples are one of the most popular fruits in the US, with Americans snacking on them on average nine pounds per person per year. Although apples have been cultivated since Roman times (and wild apples date back even earlier), today growers and agricultural scientists are working to develop varieties that are economically viable, transportable for national distribution, and meet consumer tastes. such as sweetness, crunchiness, and a long shelf life.

While there are more than 7,500 modern apple varietiessome are more loved than others. Gala has been the go-to for years most popular choice for American growers, surpassing the country in total bushels produced, thanks to its sweet taste and long shelf life. But both the Red Delicious and the maligned Red Delicious are losing market share in the orchards every year as new varieties (and not just Honeycrisp) appear on the fruit market. We reached out to three experts for their insights on the new apples you should see in your grocery store soon.

1. Cosmic sharpness

The largest apple launch in U.S. history, Cosmic Crisp took more than two decades to develop and was reportedly launched on a $10 million budget before hitting grocery shelves in 2019.

First bred by former Washington State University horticulturist Bruce Barritt in 1997 as a hybrid of Honeycrisp and Enterprise varieties, Cosmic Crisp was created to yield an ultra-crisp, juicy and firm apple with a long shelf life.

“(Cosmic Crisp apples) combined the ultra-crispness of Honeycrisp with a firmer texture, lots of juice and some extra acidity.” “

Kate Evans, PhD, professor in the Department of Horticulture at Washington State University

This new apple variety “has absolutely taken off in U.S. production over the past five years,” said Lynsee Gibbons, director of communications for the U.S. Apple Association.

Cosmic Crisp apples “combined the ultra-crispness of Honeycrisp with a firmer texture, lots of juice and some extra acidity,” says Kate Evans, PhD, a professor in Washington State University’s Department of Horticulture who helped develop Cosmic Crisp.

“People love it,” says Evans. But in addition to its appeal to consumers, Cosmic Crisp is also attractive to growers.

“It was one of the first new apple varieties available to all Washington growers, and fit into Red Delicious’ harvest window and therefore could replace it in some orchards,” Evans said.

In addition, this apple has a high pack-out, which means that many apples can be picked at once and transported to the store, says Evans. “It retains its eating quality well during storage, reducing food waste,” she adds.

Food and Wine / Crunch Time Apple Growers

2. Snapdragon

First launched in 2013, SnapDragon was created by growers at Cornell AgriTech, part of Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and was the result of a ten-year development process. It is a cross between Honeycrisp and an unnamed variety known as NY752 and was bred to create a better version of Honeycrisp.

SnapDragon has “many of the Honeycrisp traits, but fewer of the Honeycrisp defects,” says Susan K. Brown, PhD, professor of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University, who helped develop the variety. Among other benefits, SnapDragon is less likely to develop the ‘bitter pit’ disorder that affects Honeycrisp and causes small, dark brown, sunken spots on the skin.

Sweet and spicy, with a flavor that offers a hint of vanilla, this variety has won several awards, including the excellent cultivar distinction from the American Society for Horticultural Science in 2023.

And for sports fans, Brown points out that SnapDragon is the official apple of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills.

3. Firecracker

The Firecracker apple was also developed by Brown’s team at Cornell and was released in 2020, along with the Pink Luster and Cordera varieties. “FireCracker apples haven’t been widely grown yet, but they do have fans,” she says.

This apple has a partially reddish-brown skin and a mix of acidity and sweetness for a complex flavor. “We call it a triple threat,” says Brown, noting that it is delicious fresh, in baked goods, in non-alcoholic and hard cider.

Although Firecracker has been called an “ugly duckling,” the flavor is student-approved. During the development process, Cornell offered the apple desserts in the dining room and sought feedback and name suggestions.

4. Pink Lady/Cripps Pink

The Pink Lady/Cripps Pink apple is not a new variety, it was made in the 1970s by British-Australian horticulturist John Cripps, who came up with the idea of cross-pollinating Golden Delicious and Lady Williams varieties to yield an apple with the sweetness of the first and the long storage potential of the latter.

But it is called an emerging variety by the American Apple Association. Pink Lady has “excellent brand messaging” that drives the company forward, along with “a unique combination of dining quality and appearance,” says Evans. Pink Lady (the cultivar name is Cripps Pink) was the first apple in history to be trademarked in 1996. To qualify for the trademark, Pink Lady apples must meet certain criteria, including sugar content and lack of blemishes. . Pink Lady was also one of the first Apples to spend money on innovative marketing, such as linking to breast cancer research, Brown says.

Pink Lady apples have a “long growing season,” making them difficult to grow in some parts of the country, including the Northeast, Brown says. In fact, Pink Lady trees are usually the be the first to blossom and the last to be harvested.

But if you can find them, Pink Lady apples have a honey-like flavor and a buttery flavor with a tart aftertaste. “Cooking shows and magazines often recommend using ‘Pink Lady’ and ‘Granny (Smith’) apples because of their widespread availability,” says Brown. “It retains its firmness during baking, so many recipes recommend its use.”

But Honeycrisp isn’t going anywhere

Most people have heard of Honeycrisp, but it’s still not the most popular apple for growers in the US. American Apple Associationthat honor goes to Gala, followed by Red Delicious and Granny Smith.

Honeycrisp was first developed in the 1960s at the University of Minnesota, but really took off in the 2000s, when it began to be planted in Michigan and New York. The apple’s flavor profile has won it many fans, and it is now the… stands fruit in Minnesota.

“Honeycrisp has raised the bar for apple crispiness.”

Kate Evans

This apple variety has been bred to have larger cells than other apples, which explains its crispness. “Honeycrisp has raised the bar for apple crispiness,” says Evans. “Pre-Honeycrisp there wasn’t really anything with that texture. Combined with the sweet taste, it appealed to a large group of consumers.”

Honeycrisp apples offer a “balanced blend of sweet and tart flavors, with an exceptionally crunchy bite,” says Gibbons. But these apples are “challenging” to grow, she says.

“At harvest, workers must carefully cut the stem of each apple before placing them in the bin to avoid damaging the thin skin,” says Gibbons. “In addition, the larger cells make them more susceptible to diseases and pests.” Still, growers are willing to put in extra work and resources to supply Honeycrisp apples because they command a “premium” price, Gibbons says.

How to choose the right apple for you

Apple varieties exist for a reason: to offer consumers a range of experiences. “Trying a few varieties and paying attention to what suits your taste best is a fun way to discover your perfect apple,” says Gibbons. “Point-of-sale descriptions or a ‘sweet-o-meter’ can also help take out some of the guesswork, making it easy to match flavor preferences with the right apple.”

But Evans says the best way to find your favorite apple is to taste a range of varieties. “I hear more and more people who enjoy organizing apple tastings at parties or events,” she says. “It can be a really easy thing to do with the family during the holidays and doesn’t require a lot of apples as long as you give them slices to taste.”

So if you happen to come across an apple variety you’ve never heard of, give it a try. It might just become your new favorite.