Apple Market Guide
Juicy, very sweet, almost candy-like, explosive crunch
Honeycrisp
Developed for 30 years by the University of Minnesota, it was finally released to the public in the early 1990s and has been a hit ever since; the most popular and best-selling apple at our markets, it's revolutionized the apple industry, although not always in positive ways.
On the tart side, with a crisp and cidery finish, crunchy
Stayman Winesap
Widely regarded as the best apple to use for pies and turnovers, its tart flavor balances out the sugar in most baking recipes; some say its juice has a fermented, spicy flavor, the reason it's called winesap.
Light and sweet, very appealing, and stays crunchy all winter long
Fuji
From Japan, named after the place where it was developed, the town of Fujisaki, about 460 miles north of Mt. Fuji itself; this apple is the best-selling apple in Japan; here in the United States it's usually ranked within the top five most popular varieties.
A complex, terrific blend of sweet and sour juices, as advertised a rush of flavors, very crunchy all year-round
Gold Rush
When it first comes to market in late October, its flavor is tart and wild, so spritely and effervescent that it leaves the mouth buzzing and the lips ready for a great kiss; by December and throughout the rest of the winter its flavor has mellowed out to an elegant blend of sweet and sour juices, tastes like a fine champagne; truly one of the greatest apples of the entire year.
On the sweet side, with bright floral notes, another apple that keeps its crunch throughout the winter
Pink Lady
Also known as the Cripps Pink, its originally from Australia where it ranks as its best-selling apple; introduced to America in the late 1990s; it’s one of the first trees to flower in early spring but one of the last to be harvested in late October, a local food that takes the entire growing season to make it to market.
Tart, acidic, and super-crunchy, all qualities that make it perfect for most baking recipes
Granny Smith
There really was a Granny Smith! Her name was Maria Ann Smith, mother of eight children; she and her husband worked for fruit growers in Sydney, Australia; the legend goes that she discovered an apple seedling - what's called a sport - growing from a trash pile of crabapple cores and peels, the very first Granny Smith apple tree. She passed away in 1870, never knowing how famous her apple would become; by 1975, forty-percent of Australia's apple crop were Granny Smiths.
Look for these other great tasting apples at our farmers' markets: sansa, zestar, golden delicious, gala, mutsu, jonagold, empire, cameo, macoun, golden russet, crimson crisp, autumn crisp, nittany, braeburn, and more...
Illustrations by Jacqueline Quinn