Photograph by Caitlin Abrams
apple trees
Minnesotans, by reputation, don’t like to get into hardcore arguments. But if you want to start a fight, ask a group, What’s your favorite apple? You’ll hear passionate praise (and trash talk) from Haralson fanatics, SweeTango addicts, and even the odd Honeycrisp denier. So we decided to put an end to it—and definitively rank Minnesota’s top apples. The criteria? These apples were all developed by the amazing fruit-breeding program at U of M. And all are commonly grown and available in orchards, farmers’ markets, co-ops, and grocery stores. The experts?
A few local pomologists who were up for the fight. The results? Read on—and feel free to argue.
How We Did It:
We asked each expert to score the apples 1–10 (with 10 as the best), then we averaged their answers to find our definitive rankings. Not every expert scored every apple, and formulas were adjusted accordingly.
The Experts
Gretchen Perbix: co-owner of Sweetland Orchard, in Webster.
Dan Bussey: author of The Illustrated History of Apples in the United States and Canada and former orchard manager at Seed Savers Exchange, in Decorah, Iowa.
Charlie Johnson: co-owner of Whistling Well Farm, in Hastings.
Andrea Nelson: marketing director of Nelson’s Apple Farm, in Webster.
Mark Williams: assistant produce manager at the Wedge Community Co-op for 20-plus years.
David Bedford: senior research fellow at the U of M Horticultural Research Center, who tastes 500-plus apples a day during apple season. (He also helped breed some of these fruits.)
The Golden Apples
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Rave/First Kiss » 9.5
Rave/First Kiss » 9.5
Introduced 2017. A juicy and tart early ripener. “The new hot apple from the U and a new State Fair apple tradition. Last year, the lines in the horticulture building to get this apple were the envy of all of the State Fair vendors.” –Gretchen Perbix, 8
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Honeycrisp » 8.67
Honeycrisp » 8.67
Introduced 1991. A Minnesota classic: crisp and snappy. “Known for its exceptionally crisp and juicy texture, it redefined the standard for texture around the world.” –David Bedford, 10. “This fickle diva needs attention to be at its best.” –Dan Bussey, 7
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Haralson » 8.67
Haralson » 8.67
Introduced 1922. Tart, with a firm texture—great for pie baking and snacking. “My gold standard for a wonderful fall apple.” –Dan Bussey, 9. "Minnesotans’ favorite apple before Honeycrisp came along.” –Gretchen Perbix, 7.
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SweeTango » 8.5
SweeTango » 8.5
Introduced 2009. An offspring of Honeycrisp and Zestar! with similar crispness. “Sweet, crisp, and a favorite of children.” –Charlie Johnson, 9. “A sweet-tart flavor that tops the charts for intensity.” –David Bedford, 10.
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Fireside/Connell Red » 8.0
Fireside/Connell Red » 8.0
Introduced 1943. Sweet and mild late-season apple with hints of pear. “Named for the chats that Franklin Roosevelt used to broadcast, this late-season variety was the second-favorite apple of its era, behind Haralson.” –David Bedford, 7.
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Honeygold » 7.6
Honeygold » 7.6
Introduced 1970. Sweet and crisp late-season fruit, notable yellow skin. “An oldie but a goodie that shouldn’t be passed by if you find it at an orchard.” –Gretchen Perbix, 7. “Like having a Ford in your garage: good and dependable.” –Dan Bussey, 8.
Better Than Second-Best
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Keepsake » 7.5
Keepsake » 7.5
Introduced 1978. Hardy late-season fruit that can last for months in the fridge. “If you’re lucky enough to find a fully ripened Keepsake, you’ll be able to experience a lovely flavor and see its family resemblance to Honeycrisp.” –Gretchen Perbix, 7.
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Zestar! » 7.25
Zestar! » 7.25
Introduced 1999. Sweet and tart, good for cooking or eating. “Not real crisp but has a unique flavor.” –Charlie Johnson, 7. “Best known for its well-balanced flavor. Can exhibit brown sugar/caramel notes at times.” –David Bedford, 9.
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Chestnut Crabapple » 7.2
Chestnut Crabapple » 7.2
Introduced 1949. Midseason crabapple, good for sauce or snacking. “One of Minnesota’s best-kept secrets. Only about the size of a golf ball on steroids and with a rather homely appearance.” –David Bedford, 8.
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SnowSweet » 7.2
SnowSweet » 7.2
Introduced 2006. Late-season apple; interior stays white long after cutting. “A great salad apple.” –Charlie Johnson, 7. “It’s not as popular as Honeycrisp, but its firm crunch and rich sweetness are worth seeking out.” –Gretchen Perbix, 7.
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Regent » 6.8
Regent » 6.8
Introduced 1964. Late-season fruit; stores well. “The sweetness of a Red Delicious and crunch of a Haralson, which are its parents.” –Mark Williams, 6. “I keep coming back to this apple.” –Dan Bussey, 8.
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Sweet Sixteen » 6.6
Sweet Sixteen » 6.6
Introduced 1977. Sweet, cherry-flavored fruit. “When it’s picked at its peak, you are rewarded with phenomenal cherry-popsicle and anise flavors. Possibly the best-tasting apple in the U’s repertoire.” –Gretchen Perbix, 8.
Acquired Taste
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Prairie Spy » 6.0
Prairie Spy » 6.0
Introduced 1940. One of the last apples to ripen. “This apple’s not for everybody, but there’s nothing wrong with that.” –Gretchen Perbix, 7. “Has a dense, almost dry texture that stores very well and is probably best used for cooking nowadays.” –David Bedford, 5.
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Frostbite » 5.0
Frostbite » 5.0
Introduced 2008. Small apples, best for cider. “Terrible-tasting small apple; it’s a love-it-or-hate-it apple.” –Andrea Nelson, 1. “Its flavor has been described as everything from Hawaiian Punch to Jägermeister.” –David Bedford, 6.
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Centennial Crabapple » 4.75
Centennial Crabapple » 4.75
Introduced 1957. Early crabapple, good for cooking. “You love it because it’s early and it has a really cute yellow background and rosy blush. But as with many summer apples, it doesn’t last too many days after it’s picked.” –Gretchen Perbix, 3.
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State Fair Apple » 4.4
State Fair Apple » 4.4
Introduced 1977. Tart early-season fruit. “An early apple that starts out crunchy and turns soft quickly.” –Andrea Nelson, 4. “Good for an early apple, but a teaser for better apples yet to come.” –Dan Bussey, 5.
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Red Baron » 3.6
Red Baron » 3.6
Introduced 1970. Hardy midseason apple. “I would use it only to cook.” –Mark Williams, 2. “Better than Red Delicious, but that’s not saying much.” –David Bedford, 4.
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Beacon » 3.5
Beacon » 3.5
Introduced 1936. One of the first apples to ripen. “Mushy early apple that’s good for sauce or throwing at your friends, like we did when I was a kid.” –Mark Williams, 2. “Tends to soften, but it’s known for having a delightful, somewhat tropical flavor.” –David Bedford, 5.
