(ARRANGED BY HARVEST DATE)
- small to medium size
- bright red, sometimes with yellow markings
- tart/sweet and juicy and crisp white flesh, fairly mild flavor
- limited storage potential, best used fresh
Ginger Gold
- medium size
- pale gold yellow, sometimes with a hint of green and a light red blush
- juicy with a sweet mild flavor with a hint of tartness when first picked, creamy flesh
- slow to oxidize (turn brown when cut)
- limited storage potential, tends to go soft if kept too long
- holds shape when cooked
SEPTEMBER
Elstar
This offspring of the Golden Delicious and Ingrid Marie became available in the U.S. in the early 1970’s.
CHARACTERISTICS:
- medium to large size
- red over yellow, can appear almost mottled with red striping
- firm but not hard, aromatic, sweet/tart in the beginning to the season, mellowing becoming sweeter with a hint of honey as the season progresses, creamy white flesh
- stores well for the fall season
- cooks to medium consistency
Gala
According to the U.S. Apple Association, this is one of the most popular apple varieties and is widely grown in the world. It is native to New Zealand, a cross between a Golden Delicious and a Kidd’s Orange Red, introduced to the U.S. in the 1970’s.
CHARACTERISTICS:
- small to medium size
- light to dark red, pink/orange markings over greenish yellow
- crisp and sweet/tart with a mild flavor and a thinner skin, cream-colored flesh
- stores well for the fall season, until about mid October
AVAILABILITY – GOOD
Jonamac
As the name hints, this apple variety is a cross between a Jonathan and a McIntosh. Developed by the N.Y. State Agricultural Experiment Station, it was introduced in 1972.
CHARACTERISTICS:
- medium size
- red to dark red with some green(usually less green than its McIntosh parent)
- crisp and on the firm side, taste is similar to a McIntosh, sweet/tart but “spicier”, juicy, pale flesh
- stores well, until mid to end November
McIntosh
John McIntosh, a Canadian farmer, discovered this apple on his Ontario farm in the St. Lawrence Valley in the early 1800’s. The original tree produced fruit until 1906.
CHARACTERISTICS:
- medium size
- crimson or dark red with touches of bright green/yellow
- crunchy, soft white juicy flesh and sweet/tart flavor, aromatic
- stores well
- cooks down quickly
Honeycrisp
This winner that is much sought after by its fans, was developed at the University of Minnesota and introduced in 1991 to much acclaim. It is the result of what was thought to be a combination of Macoun and Honey Gold but apparently genetic testing has put that into question. While exceptionally popular, this variety can be challenging to grow and store and therefore not as plentiful some years as others. For that reason, it is considered a “premium” apple.
CHARACTERISTICS:
- medium to large size
- bi-color, predominantly red\orange over a yellow\green background, sometimes with a pink blush
- unique honey-sweet flavor, juicy, described as “explosively crisp”, cream-colored flesh
- good storage potential until mid-end December – stays crisp and flavorful
Spartan
This apple was introduced in the 1930’s after it was developed at the Canadian Apple Research Station in Summerland, British Columbia. It’s a cross between a McIntosh and what was thought to be a Newton Pippon, but genetic testing has put that into question.
CHARACTERISTICS:
- smaller size
- bright crimson red skin with an occasional bright patch of green
- sweet, juicy, and white flesh
- store until mid-November
Empire
This very popular apple is a McIntosh and Red Delicious cross. It was developed at Cornell University in New York and introduced in 1966.
CHARACTERISTICS:
- medium size
- shiny, deep maroon red with a hint of green
- crisp with a sweet/tart flavor and a juicy white flesh. Usually firmer than a McIntosh
- good storage potential – end December or January
An old-time apple, discovered in the 1830’s in West Virginia. It is thought to be a parent of the Golden Delicious.
CHARACTERISTICS:
- medium size
- ranges in color from pale yellow-green to a golden yellow, sometimes with russet markings
- rich spicy sweet flavor with a hint of tartness, crisp and juicy, yellow flesh
- good storage potential, mid to end of December
Jonagold
This cross between a Golden Delicious and a Jonathan was introduced in 1968, developed by the N.Y. State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, NY
CHARACTERISTICS:
- large size
- yellow ranging to orange with red\pink markings
- sweet flavor, slightly tart/tangy, firm and juicy, creamy yellow flesh,
- good storage potential, end December
Macoun
Considered by some to be one of the better eating apples in the Northeast, the Macoun came about as a result of a combination of McIntosh and Jersey Black at the Geneva Research Station in NY State. It was named after a Canadian fruit grower, W.T. Macoun, and became available in the 1950’s.
CHARACTERISTICS:
- small to medium size
- dark red with a purplish hue
- sweet/tart tasting, firm, juicy, crisp white flesh, aromatic,softens with time
Store until mid-end November
OCTOBER
Considered to be one of the most important apple varieties of the 20th century, the Golden Delicious was discovered, apparently by chance, in West Virginia in the early 1900’s and is WV’s’ official state fruit. Grimes Golden and possibly a variety called Golden Reinette are the likely “parents”. Contrary to popular belief, the Golden and Red Delicious varieties are not related; they only share a name.
CHARACTERISTICS:
- medium size
- golden yellow color, sometimes with a pale red or pink blush
- mellow, sweet flavour, crisper when first picked, juicy, creamy flesh
- Store until end December
Red Delicious
This popular apple was reportedly discovered in Iowa at the end of the 19th century. Contrary to popular belief, the Red and Golden Delicious varieties are not related; they only share a name.
CHARACTERISTICS:
- medium size, distinct conical shaped
- dark red often with white dots, occasionally a yellow blush
- sweet flavor, sometimes a hint of melon, firm yellow flesh
- store until mid-end December
Crispin/Mutsu
Developed in Japan and introduced in the 1940’s, the original name of this apple is MUTSU. It’s a cross between a Golden Delicious and the little-known variety, Indo Cross.
CHARACTERISTICS:
- large size-resembles a large Golden Delicious
- greenish tinged, golden-colored, occasionally with an orange blush
- sweet flavor with honey undertones, juicy, very firm and crisp with white flesh
- store until end December
AVAILABILITY: LIMITED
USES: Eating, applesauce, pies, baking and cooking
Melrose
This apple variety, a cross between a Jonathan and Delicious, was developed at the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station and introduced in the 1940’s.
CHARACTERISTICS:
- large size
- yellow green with red, often with russet markings
- sweet with some tartness, firm, juicy, creamy white coarse-textured flesh
- keeps it shape when cooked
- store until mid-end December
AVAILABILITY: GOOD, usually until market closes
USES: Excellent eating, pies-retains shape, salads
Nittany
We are one of a few orchards to grow this apple variety. It has a devoted number of fans who start calling to check availability in anticipation of its arrival in our market. Introduced by Penn State University, Randy’s Alma Mater (could be one of the reasons he grows it!!!), it was named after the famous Nittany Lion, the school’s official mascot and is a cross between Golden Delicious and York Imperial.
CHARACTERISTICS:
- medium/large size
- bright red/orange and green/yellow, faint striping
- sweet-tart, firm and juicy with a deep yellow flesh
- excellent storage potential, can over-winter
USES:Excellent eating, baking, cooking
Suncrisp
This apple is reported to be a cross between Golden Delicious and a Cortland/Cox’s Orange Pippin. It was developed by Rutger’s University and introduced in the 1990’s.
CHARACTERISTICS:
- small to medium size
- yellow green with an orange pink blush
- tart/spicy that mellows over time,very firm and crisp, cream yellow flesh
- stores until end December
- cooks down quickly
Braeburn
An introduction from New Zealand in the early 1950’s, this apple variety is thought to be a cross between a Lady Hamilton and Granny Smith.
CHARACTERISTICS:
- medium size
- red orange blush over golden yellow
- sharp, sweet flavor, sometimes a hint of pear, firm, crisp and juicy, pale yellow flesh, aromatic
- stores very well, can over-winter
Enterprise
This apple appears to be related to the McIntosh and was developed in a combined effort by Rutgers and Purdue Universities and the University of Illinois.
CHARACTERISTICS:
- medium to large size
- dark red with a thicker, almost chewy skin
- mildly tart and spicy, juicy, firm and crisp, flesh is pale creamy yellow
- stores well, can over-winter
Fuji
This popular apple originated in Japan and was introduced to the U.S. in the 1980’s. It is a combination of Red Delicious and an heirloom variety called Ralls Genet.
CHARACTERISTICS:
- medium to large size
- light pink to dark crimson over yellow-green
- mild, sweet flavor, crisp, refreshing, creamy white flesh
- stores very well, can over-winter
GoldRush
This apple, which is the official state fruit of Illinois, apparently got its name because of its gold color and the “rush” of flavor. Developed by Purdue University, it was introduced in 1994 and is a cross between a Golden Delicious and an experimental apple variety.
CHARACTERISTICS:
- medium size
- green/yellow with a bronze or red blush
- complex, spicy tart flavor, crisp, firm yellow blush, not overly juicy, pale yellow flesh
- flavor mellows with time
- a great “keeper”, will store over winter
- slow to oxidize (turn brown) when cut
Granny Smith
This well-known “international” apple was reportedly discovered in Australia by Maria Ann Smith in the 1860’s and was named after her. It is thought to be a cross between a French crab apple and a Rome Beauty and was introduced to the U.S. in 1972.
CHARACTERISTICS:
- medium to large size
- unmistakable, bright green and shiny, sometimes with a slight rosy blush when ripe, thicker skin
- sharp tart flavor, juicy, hard, crisp, white flesh
- stores well, can over-winter
Your apple’s are the absolute best!!! EVER!!!! My grandparents took my sister, brother, mom, and I to your orchard last year and this year we are going with my dad. I am so excited to come….I’ll be seeing you soon. YUMMY….
That’s great to hear, Rachel! We always try to supply our customers with excellent apples and cider. We have quite a few varieties in the Market now and cider-making is in full swing. Thanks so much for letting us know. We look forward to seeing your family soon.
We have started the tradition with our children 3 years ago, as soon as the market opens we come in for our absolute favorite apple, the Ginger Gold, we get some cider if you guys have it:( and we get a back of apples for the horses:) Browns apples are by far the ABSOLUTE BEST apples around!!!!
We’re so happy that you’ve made a visit to our Orchard Market a new tradition for your family and that you appreciate our apples and cider. With the erratic weather that we had this season, hot, dry and then wet, there may be fewer Ginger Gold. We do have frozen cider available from last season (excellent once thawed) since it’s too soon to start pressing this year.
Look forward to the weekly visits for fresh apples year after year! With all the changes in our life it is nice
to be able to bring my kids and friends to one of my favorite spots. Look forward to my visit next weekend, thanks for all you do! Best Cider on earth!
Wonderful to hear, Becky. We will have Ginger Gold, Jonamac, and Galas available when we first open, as well as frozen cider since it’s still too early to press this season(it really does taste just about as good as fresh). Just remember to let it thaw completely before you drink it. And thanks for your kind words.
Your site is wonderful. We love your apples and can not wait for you to open up this year. We have been coming there since I was a little girl. Now, I bring my kids out to enjoy your delicious apples. We also love the apple cider!!
That’s terrific! We always look forward to seeing our “old” customers and are tickled to hear about people sharing the tradition of a trip out to get our apples and cider with their kids and grandkids.