Top 54 North American Apple Varieties

Honeycrisp are American native apples originating from the University of Minnesota. They're also the state's official fruit. The apples were bred solely for their flavor, not for easy storing, shipping, or growing. They have a balanced sweet-tart flavor, and a crisp and juicy texture. When you bite into one, the refreshing sweetness shatters in your mouth because these apples have large cells that fracture cleanly and release the juice when bitten, which is a unique trait of Honeycrisp. It's recommended to consume the apples raw as a snack, pair them with cheese, or use them in fresh salads, just don't bake them because Honeycrisp apples are not intended for the oven.Expand

Ambrosia is an apple variety originating from British Columbia, Canada, when it was discovered in the early 1990s. It's believed to be a cross between Golden Delicious and Jonagold. The apples are medium to large in size, while the skin is golden-yellow with pink and red blushes. The flesh is light yellow in color and its texture is crisp, tender, and juicy. The flavors are sweet with low acidity and notes of honey. Available in the fall, Ambrosia apples are usually used in the preparation of cakes, muffins, pies, and tarts, but they're also often used raw, sliced thinly and added to salads or burgers.Expand

McIntosh is an apple variety with origins in Dundela, Upper Canada in 1811, when it was discovered by John McIntosh, hence the name. Commercial production started in 1870. These apples have a vivid red color brushed with bright green blushes and often white spots. The flavor varies depending on when the apples have been picked – those picked in early winter will be slightly sweeter than those picked in fall, which have a strong sweet and tart flavor with hints of spice. The texture of the flesh is crisp and juicy. When cooked, the flesh will break down, so it's recommended to use slices of McIntosh apples on tarts, pizzas, in soups, or purées. They can also be made into juice or cider. It's recommended to pair the apples with celery, cherries, nutmeg, cinnamon, pork, pecans, and cheeses such as feta and gorgonzola. Interestingly, this is the national apple of Canada, and Apple's Macintosh line of computers was named after this sweet fruit.Expand

Cosmic Crisp (known to experts as WA 38) is an American apple variety that's a cross between Honeycrisp and Enterprise. Grown in Washington State orchards, the apples are large, red, crunchy, juicy, acidic, and sweet. They can be eaten as they are or baked. These apples ripen more uniformly than other apple varieties, and once picked, they even brown more slowly than the other apples. Another key factor is their lengthy shelf life – apparently, Cosmic Crisp apples can stay fresh in the fridge for up to a year! The name Cosmic refers to the apple's lenticels, while Crisp is a reference to Honeycrisp apples. Due to the fact that these apples were developed by Washington State University, only those producers that are from Washington State can grow Cosmic Crisp apples.Expand

Idared is an apple variety that was first developed in Idaho. It's a cross between the Jonathan and Wagener breeds. The apples are medium-sized with a bright red and green-red color. The flesh is juicy, crisp, and firm, while the flavors are sweet, tart, aromatic, and refreshing. Available from fall through early summer, Idared apples are great for cooking and baking because they hold their shape very well. They can also be eaten raw, added to salads, or paired with strong blue cheese.Expand

Golden Delicious is an apple variety that's believed to be a product of unintentional breeding between Grimes Golden and Golden Reinette. It has no connection to the Red Delicious. The original tree was discovered in West Virginia at the end of the 19th century, and it's been the official state fruit since 1995. The apples are large and yellow-green in color. The flavor is very sweet, slightly tart, and aromatic, while the flesh is white in color and the texture is crisp and firm. It's recommended to use Golden Delicious apples in salads or the preparation of apple sauce and apple butter. They can also be paired with savory foods such as cabbage and pork. These apples are harvested from autumn through winter.Expand

Spartan is a Canadian apple variety that's been developed in 1936 in British Columbia by Dr. R. C. Palmer. Its identity is still a mystery, and all that's known is that these apples are a hybrid of McIntosh and an unknown apple variety. The apples are bright red to dark purple red in color. The flesh is white, and its texture is very juicy. The flavors are sweet, tart, and aromatic, but they become sweeter once stored in a cold place. Available in fall and early winter, Spartans are typically used in cooking and the preparation of desserts because the flesh holds its shape well once cooked. They can be added to chutneys, fritters, and pies, or transformed into juice and cider. Pair these apples with pork, ginger, onions, walnuts, and blue cheese.Expand

Jonathan is an apple variety that's believed to have originated in Woodstock, New York in 1826. This apple is a parent to many other varieties such as Jonagold, Jonafree, and Jonamac. The apples are medium-sized with a thin red skin and yellow or green blushes. The texture of the flesh is juicy and crisp, while the flavors are mildly sweet, tart, and tangy with hints of spice. Available in the fall, Jonathan apples are usually cooked or eaten fresh. It's recommended to add slices to tarts, purees, soups, or use it in pies and sauces. Due to their slightly spicy flavor, these apples are often made into juices or ciders.Expand

SweeTango is a brand of apples that's been developed in Minnesota in 2000. These apples are a hybrid of Zestar and Honeycrisp breeds, and they've been commercially sold since 2009. They are characterized by their loud crunch, and they even hold the Guinness World Record for the loudest crunch of an apple. The flavor is intense, rich, sweet, and tangy, while the apples themselves are red in color with a yellow background.Expand

Empire is an apple variety that was cultivated as a hybrid between McIntosh and Red Delicious in Geneva, New York in 1945. The apples are bright red in color with faint white striations and a light green blush. The flesh is creamy white in color, while the texture is crisp and juicy. The flavor is sweet and tart. Available from fall until mid-winter, Empire apples are usually baked, sautéed, or roasted. When fresh, they're used in salads or coleslaw. It's recommended to pair them with sharp cheeses, pears, pumpkin, and warming spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg.Expand