Crispin (Mutsu) apple

Malus domestica

A versatile dual-purpose apple, sharp but still pleasant to eat fresh.

Known as Mutsu in its native Japan, Crispin looks like a large Golden Delicious and indeed one of its parents is indeed Golden Delicious so it has that lovely sweet honeyed flavour.

It cooks superbly too and the women picking them in the orchards used to call them 'oven busters' - take a big one home and bake it and you have a feast for two - and you don't need many for a deep apple pie.

Crispin is one of a small number of varieties which really is dual purpose - being both pleasant as a dessert apple (albeit too large for 1 person) and versatile in the kitchen.

Last updated 10 Jun 2010 by Orange Pippin.

Summary

  • Parentage: Golden Delicious
  • Origin: Japan
  • Introduced: 1930
  • Orange Pippin Cultivar ID: 101400

Identification

  • Bultitude apple group: 5. Yellow, smooth, sweet or acidic

Growing

  • Vigour: Large

Mature tree heights for this variety (approximate)

Rootstock Soil quality
Poor Below average Average Above average Very good
P22 2.7 ft
0.8 m
3.4 ft
1.0 m
4.1 ft
1.2 m
4.7 ft
1.5 m
5.4 ft
1.7 m
M27 3.6 ft
1.1 m
4.5 ft
1.4 m
5.4 ft
1.7 m
6.3 ft
1.9 m
7.2 ft
2.2 m
M9 5.4 ft
1.7 m
6.8 ft
2.1 m
8.1 ft
2.5 m
9.5 ft
2.9 m
10.8 ft
3.3 m
Bud.9 5.4 ft
1.7 m
6.8 ft
2.1 m
8.1 ft
2.5 m
9.5 ft
2.9 m
10.8 ft
3.3 m
Geneva 16 5.4 ft
1.7 m
6.8 ft
2.1 m
8.1 ft
2.5 m
9.5 ft
2.9 m
10.8 ft
3.3 m
Geneva 11 6.3 ft
1.9 m
7.9 ft
2.4 m
9.5 ft
2.9 m
11.0 ft
3.4 m
12.6 ft
3.9 m
M26 7.2 ft
2.2 m
9.0 ft
2.8 m
10.8 ft
3.3 m
12.6 ft
3.9 m
14.4 ft
4.4 m
Geneva 30 7.2 ft
2.2 m
9.0 ft
2.8 m
10.8 ft
3.3 m
12.6 ft
3.9 m
14.4 ft
4.4 m
MM102 7.2 ft
2.2 m
9.0 ft
2.8 m
10.8 ft
3.3 m
12.6 ft
3.9 m
14.4 ft
4.4 m
M7 8.1 ft
2.5 m
10.1 ft
3.1 m
12.2 ft
3.7 m
14.2 ft
4.3 m
16.2 ft
5.0 m
M116 8.1 ft
2.5 m
10.1 ft
3.1 m
12.2 ft
3.7 m
14.2 ft
4.3 m
16.2 ft
5.0 m
MM106 9.0 ft
2.8 m
11.3 ft
3.5 m
13.5 ft
4.1 m
15.8 ft
4.8 m
18.0 ft
5.5 m
MM111 10.8 ft
3.3 m
13.5 ft
4.1 m
16.2 ft
5.0 m
18.9 ft
5.8 m
21.6 ft
6.6 m
Bud.118 12.6 ft
3.9 m
15.8 ft
4.8 m
18.9 ft
5.8 m
22.1 ft
6.8 m
25.2 ft
7.7 m
M25 14.4 ft
4.4 m
18.0 ft
5.5 m
21.6 ft
6.6 m
25.2 ft
7.7 m
28.8 ft
8.8 m
From an idea by N. Buck - more details.

Relationships to other varieties

Parents and other ancestors of this variety:

See also:

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

Visitor comments

(Use the form at the bottom to add your own comments about this variety)

12 Jul 2010 WhitMD, United States
This is by far my favorite apple. I think the description missed that it's a cross between a golden delicious and an Indu apple. Anyone know where to get this apple in MD? I used to get them in Talbot county, but can't find them anywhere near Baltimore.

07 Jun 2010 NormanHEREFORDSHIRE, United Kingdom
Mutsu is delicious. If anything, it has a better taste than the Golden Delicious I buy from the same fruit farm (heavy loam soil). A slight red cheek develops on some apples. I would rate it one of the top 10 or 15.

16 Nov 2009 DaveALEXANDRIA, VA, United States
I love these. The texture is the most distinctive feature -- like a honeycomb of tiny little juice-filled cells, so that it is very juicy but still firm and crisp and doesn't go to mush when you bake it.

09 Nov 2009 TomNORT GEORGIA, US, United States
A freind told me about these wonderful apple and I bought a peck at the orchards in n. GA Wonderful eating, sharp at first but a sweet finish. I cut one last noght into pie slices and pan cooked them in butter, brown sugar and cimmamon then served hot over french vanilla ice cream ooohhhhhhh so good.

05 Nov 2009 TesTORONTO, ONTARIO, Canada
Wow from the comments and the description, it sounds like a really delicious apple. Although it doesn't look stunning, an apple smelling like flowers sure is something.

01 Nov 2009 Roy PersaudWOODHAVEN, QUEENS NEW YORK, United States
I just love the taste and crisp texture of this apple. Huge in size, have to eat one in two days. Gave it to friends just to taste and they love it. Honestly, I will eat it daily if it was to be readily available in the market.

26 Oct 2009 Gabby FrischHURON,OH, United States
I haven't tried the apple yet, but it looks good!

18 Oct 2009 ToddUnited States
The ones that are grown in Gilmer County Georgia are HUGE and are soooooo sweet. Gilmer Coutny, GA is the apple capital and are known to have some of the best apples anywhere!!

22 Jan 2009 JustinTORONTO, Canada
Matsus and Galas are something to look forward to in winter. Crisp, light, and bright. Matsus don't look so great on the outside but a bite into a nice cool one and you'll be hooked. They're great with a small slice of parmesan cheese.

24 Nov 2008 JulieLANCASTER, PA, United States
This is my husband's favorite apple, and one of mine as well. They smells like flowers, and they have an amazing taste

17 Jan 2008 LynnieBRISTOL, United Kingdom
This is my favourite apple, sweet, and crisp with a delicate flavour.

05 Aug 2007 TomUnited Kingdom
A crisp refershing apple and much more appetising than it looks. However, it lacks the fullness of flavour of Cox and Braeburn.

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Where to buy apple trees

The following fruit tree nurseries offer Crispin (Mutsu) apple trees for sale:

Where to buy apples

The following orchards and suppliers offer fresh Crispin (Mutsu) apples for sale:


Apple tree register

The following Crispin (Mutsu) apple trees have been registered - click the name to view more details of each tree:

Do you have a tree of this variety in your garden or orchard? If so please register the details here and contribute to our international register of fruit trees.


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