Most pleasing apple?

Dec 11, 2024

Comparing apples to apples, yes, but only a few varieties were included in a new poll for the group: In your opinion, what apple variety is consistently most pleasing for consumers?

After a robust 146 votes in just two days of voting (five more days left):

Cosmic Crisp: 12%
Honeycrisp: 49%
Pink Lady: 15%
Gala: 24%

Poll results notwithstanding, Honeycrisp, or the grower/shippers of Honeycrisp, have taken a little grief in the media recently.

See How Honeycrisp apples went from marvel to mediocre from seriouseats.com and a Reddit thread here.

The gist of the seriouseats.com article is that the variety is being grown in regions (notably Washington) that are too warm to produce the best example of the cultivar. I love Honeycrisp apples from any state, but there is a substantial variability in the quality of apples you find at the store.

One Reddit comment pointed to the role of plant breeding patents in the trajectory of the Honeycrisp…

What the article didn't bring up is how plant breeding patents and copyright work and how that's come into play with the Honeycrisp story. The U (Minnesota) was pretty loose in where the apple was propagated as the article mentioned, and that ended up hurting the "brand" because of the poor quality apples grown elsewhere.

So when the successor to Honeycrisp came up in the U of M's breeding program (Minneiska a cross between Honeycrisp and Zestar U of M varieties branded as SweeTango in stores), it was handled a bit differently. Crop patents basically give you about 20 years of control over a variety to restrict how it is propagated. Basically that's meant as a "short" window to give you time to recoup the sometimes decades it takes to produce a variety in the cases of apples. For Sweetango, it's been nearly impossible to get this variety unless you go through an approval process for commercial growers in the region. Just to give an idea of how closely guarded that variety has been, individuals really can't get a hold of this variety through nurseries, etc. like you can Honeycrisp. That won't happen until the patent expires in 2026.

Some comments from the group…

What about hashtag#LemonadeApples? www.lemonadeapples.com

Fujii is still my favorite!

It depends on the Market!! Not the same varieties for Germany 🇩🇪 or uk 🇬🇧!!

On Vancouver Island, it was all about the count (size) & price .....Pink Lady's & Comsic Crisps were harder to sell in Food Service, my guess is because Chefs weren't as familiar with their flavor profiles

Let’s pull AI chatterbox Claude into this…

What are the best-loved apple varieties in the world now?

Claude: Here are some of the most popular and beloved apple varieties globally:
Gala: Known for its sweet flavor and crisp texture, Gala is extremely popular worldwide. It's great for snacking and has a mild, pleasant taste.
Red Delicious: A classic American variety with a deep red color and sweet taste. While its popularity has declined in recent years, it remains well-known globally.
Fuji: Originating in Japan, Fuji apples are incredibly sweet and crisp. They're known for their long shelf life and are a favorite in many Asian markets.
Honeycrisp: Developed in Minnesota, these apples are prized for their explosive crunch and perfect balance of sweetness and tartness. They've become increasingly popular in recent years.
Granny Smith: These bright green apples are loved for their tart, crisp flavor. They're excellent for baking and cooking, as well as eating fresh.
Pink Lady (Cripps Pink): Known for their distinctive pink-red color and sweet-tart flavor, these apples are popular in many countries, especially Australia and the United States.
Golden Delicious: With a mellow, sweet flavor, these yellow-green apples are versatile and loved for both eating fresh and cooking.
Braeburn: Originating in New Zealand, these apples have a complex flavor that balances sweetness and tartness, making them a favorite among apple enthusiasts.
Each of these varieties has unique characteristics that make them beloved by different people around the world. Preferences can vary by region, with local varieties often being particularly popular in their origin countries.

What apple varieties are ascending in production in the next five years?

Claude: Based on current agricultural trends and market research, several apple varieties are expected to see significant growth in production over the next five years:
Cosmic Crisp: Developed by Washington State University, this variety is rapidly gaining popularity. It's known for its exceptional storage life, crisp texture, and resistance to browning. The variety was specifically bred to be a premium, long-lasting apple with excellent flavor.
Honeycrisp: While already popular, Honeycrisp continues to see increased production. Its excellent eating quality and premium pricing make it attractive for both growers and consumers.
Sweetango: A newer variety developed at the University of Minnesota, Sweetango is gaining market share due to its incredibly sweet and crisp characteristics. It's a cross between Honeycrisp and Zestar! apples.
Gala Mutations: Various Gala mutations like Royal Gala and Buckeye Gala are seeing increased production. These offer slight improvements in color, size, and flavor over the standard Gala.
Pink Lady (Cripps Pink): This variety continues to grow in production, particularly in regions with suitable growing conditions like Australia, the United States, and South Africa.
Jazz: A cross between Braeburn and Gala, Jazz apples are gaining popularity for their distinctive flavor and crisp texture. Production is expected to increase in key apple-growing regions.
Envy: A relatively new variety developed in New Zealand, Envy apples are known for their sweet flavor and attractive appearance. They're seeing increased plantings globally.
Autumn Glory: This newer variety is gaining traction due to its unique flavor profile that some describe as having hints of cinnamon and caramel.
Several factors are driving these production increases:
Consumer demand for unique flavor profiles
Improved storage and transportation technologies
Climate change adaptation
Breeding programs focusing on disease resistance and flavor
It's worth noting that production trends can vary by region and are influenced by factors like climate, market demand, and agricultural policies. The apple market is dynamic, with new varieties constantly being developed and introduced.
The global apple market is expected to see continued innovation, with these varieties potentially leading the way in increased production and popularity over the next five years.