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Akane apple

Malus domestica
Akane

Akane is useful early season apple with an unusually good balance of sweet and sharp flavors.  The flesh is firm rather than crisp, but with plenty of juice.

Akane was developed in Japan in the 1930s, and represents an unusual marriage of the classic English early variety, Worcester Pearmain, and the high quality American heritage apple variety, Jonathan - and it is a marriage that works very successfully.

It is better known in the USA than the UK, despite the fact that it has a very "English" flavour.

Akane apple identification images

All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.

  • Akane
  • Akane
  • Akane
  • USDA ARS GRIN copyright image
    ©Copyright ARS GRIN

USDA identification images for Akane

The identification paintings in the USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection span the years 1886 to 1942.

    Citation: U.S. Department of Agriculture Pomological Watercolor Collection. Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD 20705.

    Parents and other ancestors of this variety


    Offspring of this variety


    See also

    • Mutsu - Akane and Mutsu were both developed at the Aomori Apple Research Station in Japan

    Visitor reviews

    • 05 Nov 2023 
      It is has the rosiest fragrance and flavor of any variety!
    • 28 May 2016  MARLNOROUGH, New Zealand
      this is my favourite apple! It is quite disease resistant, has a red/russet skin and white flesh. medium sweet (13 Brix) with good acid. It is quite juicy.
    • 07 Sep 2015  WA, United States
      Good variety for western Washington, fairly scab resistant, (comment on apple maggot is true) good for fresh eating and for use in baking etc. Haven't tried for cider, but will be shortly.
    • 29 Aug 2015  CA, United States
      Lovely flavor!
    • 17 Aug 2015  Oregon, United States
      Very good early apple. Red striped skin, white flesh. Medium size. Best for fresh eating, and giving to your friends. Does NOT keep well. The Willamette Valley has been hot this summer, and my Akane is ripe now in mid-August.
    • 14 Mar 2015  WA, United States
      I got a grafted semidwarf of this variety last year at this time (March 2014). It was a stick when first grafted onto the rootstock, but over the year it grew like a ROCKET. It is now around 5'6" tall and I am going to plant it: amazingly vigorous. I know I will have to wait a few years to get apples off of it, but it looks very promising.
    • 13 Mar 2015  WASHINGTON, United States
      I like it because it's scab resistant, mid september, snapping sweet-tart, -reminds me of Jonathan, bright red, white fleshed keeps alright but takes on an off-flavor from the fridge that few apples do. It's other drawback is that it's a magnet to Apple Maggot, as is Elstar.
    • 22 Feb 2015  OSLO, Norway
      Bought this apple in the organic part of Queen Victoria market in Melbourne. The apples were quite small, with a distinct, but not overly strong, taste. Good sour/sweet balance.
    • 14 Sep 2013  NY, United States
      We live in an 1860's vintage farmhouse with a pair of 30 ft tall apple trees in the front yard. I believe one is an Akane. The apples ripen in late July to early August. When picked from the tree they are some of the best apples I have eaten. Let them sit for 2 days and they have a grainy consistency and lose some flavor. I was going to use them for cider and waited for them to fall as the tree is quite tall. Bad choice as the apples rot on the tree! If anyone can confirm this is an Akane, please let me know.
    • 28 Feb 2013  VICTORIA, Australia
      Bought a bag of these the other day. Wasn't impressed with the first one, but they've slowly grown on me. Has anyone ever made cider with these? Coz that's what they taste like :D
    • 17 Jan 2013  France
      These are available only for a short period at french villiage markets. My favourite apple, crisp, sweet with lots of juice when you get fresh ones and with a beautiful apple perfume when you bite into it.
    • 22 Dec 2011  ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON, United States
      Excellent flavour and crispness, but not too dense - my current favorite. Its also well suited to our temperate coastal climate. I've dealt with some mildew but considering the damp climate it does well here. Highly recommended.
    • 31 Oct 2011  BC, Canada
      I have an Akane tree that I planted 25 years ago. It is scab resistant, grows well in our warm coastal climate. As an added bonus, although the apples do not keep for more than a week or so after being picked, they will stay ripe on the tree for more than six weeks. making it relatively easy to eat them fresh for an extended period. An amazing apple for eating, drying, and applesauce.
    • 18 Aug 2011  WA, United States
      I have a semi-dwarf akane and love it. No disease problems to speak of, and the flavor is exceptional- my favorite of all apples.
    • 14 Jul 2011  INDIANA, HUNTINGTON COUNTY, United States
      I am trying to locate an apple from grandparent's pasture that looks much like this. It's a rather large apple that makes the best applesauce that has a pink color to it! It always gave it's apples to us in early September and I've been looking forever for whatever it might be. Any help? It was great for eating or sauce. Hoping the antique apple may be close to what I'm trying to find. Thank you for any help and/or ideas.
    • 16 Aug 2010  MI, United States
      We are just eating our way through a half a peck of these purchased at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market in Ann Arbor, MI. They are exceptionally good tasting.
    • 31 May 2010  CALIFORNIA, United States
      I am looking for warm climate varities of apples. Does any know how many chill hours are required for this variety? Flavor? Storage life? Month it ripes for harvest?
    • 30 Apr 2010  NEW PLYMOUTH, New Zealand
      they have these in the Warehouse now, look OK, what do they pollinate with?
    • 01 Jan 2010  United Kingdom
      Starter post

    Tree register

    United States

    France

    Spain

    Canada

    Australia

    New Zealand

    Spring blossom records for this variety

    2022 season

    • 20th April  2022  - tree owned by Dr. in Portland, United States

    2018 season

    • March  2018  - tree owned by Lewin in BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, United States

    2015 season

    • 16th April  2015  - tree owned by Agnes in Snohomish, United States
    • 12th April  2015  - tree owned by Gil in Snohomish, United States

    2014 season

    • 27th May  2014  - tree owned by Torebuch in Keene, Canada

    2012 season

    • 11th May  2012  - tree owned by Will in Powell River, Canada
    • 9th May  2012  - tree owned by James in Estacada, United States
    • 25th April  2012  - tree owned by Steve in Ferndale, United States

    2010 season

    • 20th April  2010  - tree owned by Bren in New Virginia, United States

    Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.


    Harvest records for this variety

    2018 season

    • August  2018  - tree owned by Lewin in BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, United States

    2015 season

    • 1st week September  2015  - tree owned by Gil in Snohomish, United States

    2014 season

    • 1st week September  2014  - tree owned by Agnes in Snohomish, United States
    • January  2014  - tree owned by Mark in Perth, Australia

    2013 season

    • 1st week September  2013  - tree owned by Agnes in Snohomish, United States

    2012 season

    • 1st week October  2012  - tree owned by Nate in Whidbey Island, United States
    • 3rd week September  2012  - tree owned by Kim in Shoreline, United States
    • 2nd week September  2012  - tree owned by Steve in Ferndale, United States
    • September  2012  - tree owned by James in Estacada, United States

    2011 season

    • 3rd week October  2011  - tree owned by Nate in Whidbey Island, United States
    • 2nd week September  2011  - tree owned by Madrona in Lopez Island, United States
    • 2nd week September  2011  - tree owned by Carolina in Vashon, United States

    2010 season

    • 1st week October  2010  - tree owned by Nate in Whidbey Island, United States

    2009 season

    • 1st week October  2009  - tree owned by Nate in Whidbey Island, United States

    Origins

    • Species: Malus domestica - Apple
    • Parentage: Jonathan x Worcester Pearmain
    • Originates from: Japan
    • Introduced: 1937
    • Developed by: Morioka Experimental Station
    • UK National Fruit Collection accession: 1972-006

    Identification

    • Country of origin: Japan
    • Period of origin: 1900 - 1949
    • Fruit colour: Red
    • Leaf colour: Green
    • Popularity: Best sellers
    • Annual cycle: Deciduous
    • Alleles: 7
    • Alleles: 24

    Using

    • Picking season: Early
    • Keeping (of fruit): 1 week
    • Flavour quality: Very good
    • Flavour style (apples): Sweet/Sharp
    • Discoloration of fruit: Very oxidising (browns quickly)
    • Cropping: Good
    • Fruit persistence: Ripens over a period
    • Food uses: Eating fresh
    • Food uses: Culinary
    • Food uses: Juice
    • Picking period: late August
    • Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators

    Growing

    • Gardening skill: Beginner
    • Flowering group: 4
    • Pollinating others: Average
    • Ploidy: Diploid
    • Vigour: Average vigour
    • Precocity: Precocious
    • Bearing regularity: Regular
    • Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
    • Self-fertility: Not self-fertile

    Climate

    • Cold hardiness (USDA): Zone 4 (-34C)
    • Chill requirement: Low-chill
    • Climate suitability: Temperate climates
    • Climate suitability: Warm climates
    • Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
    • Summer average maximum temperatures: Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)
    • Summer average maximum temperatures: Hot (>30C / 86F)

    Other qualities

    • Disease resistance: Good
    • Scab (Apple and Pear): Some resistance
    • Powdery mildew: Some resistance
    • Fire blight: Some resistance
    • Cedar apple rust: Some resistance

    Where to buy trees

    The following tree nurseries offer Akane apple trees for sale:


    Where to buy fresh fruit

    The following orchards grow Akane:

    United States


    Canada


    Australia




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