The comprehensive resource for apples and orchards

Elstar apple



Elstar is another successful offspring of Golden Delicious, developed in the Netherlands in the 1950s. It is a popular easy-eating dessert apple, widely grown in Europe but less well-known in the UK or North America.  There are a number of commercial sports, including Elista and Valstar.

Elstar has a distinctive appearance - difficult to describe but quite apparent once you have seen it. The skin is marbled, often with a soft sheen to it. It also lacks the perfect smoothness of many modern varieties.

The underlying colour is golden yellow but overlaid with deep red. There is also a "sport" known as Red Elstar, where the red colour usually covers the entire surface with only the occasional peep of yellow.

The flavour can be more intense than is often the case with other Golden Delicious offspring.  It retains the appealing sweetness - usually described as 'honeyed' in most apple text books - but with a good balance of acidity.

Elstar is definitely a crunchy apple, but not as crisp or hard as some - definitely the softer side of crunchy. The flesh is lemon-white.

In most Golden Delicious offspring it is the other parent which provides the essential counter-balance to offset the sweet blandness of Golden Delicious. In the case of Elstar this is Ingrid Marie, a variety which originates from Denmark. Although not a widely-known apple, it lends a bit of oomph to the mix - inherited from its own parent, Cox's Orange Pippin. The result is Elstar, which is probably one of the best Golden Delicious offspring.

Visitor comment: "We ate one just after a Russet and noticed how much sweeter and jucier it was (although the Russet will always be one of my favourite apples), a bit like drinking a glass of apple juice, a hint of pear about it too."  Rebecca, East Sussex.


 

Last updated 06 Mar 2011.

One of the best Golden Delicious offspring, the sweet/sharp flavor is more reminscent of Cox's Orange Pippin.

Elstar photo tape

Origins

  • Species: Malus domestica
  • Parentage: Golden Delicious x Ingrid Marie
  • Originates from: Netherlands
  • Introduced: 1972
  • Orange Pippin Cultivar ID: 102000

Using

  • Good for eating fresh
  • Flavour quality: Very good
  • Flavour style: Sweet/Sharp
  • Ripening period: Late season
  • Use / keeping: 1-2 months

Growing

  • Cropping: Heavy
  • Flowering group: 3
  • Fertility: Self-sterile
  • Triploid: No
  • Vigour: Slightly small
  • Gardening skill: Average
  • Attractive fruit
  • General disease resistance: Poor

Climate

  • Suitable for warm climates
  • Suitable for temperate climates

Other qualities

  • RHS Award of Garden Merit 1993

Disease resistance

  • Scab  - Some susceptibility
  • Mildew  - Some susceptibility
  • Fireblight  - Some susceptibility

Relationships to other varieties

Parents and other ancestors of this variety:

Offspring of this variety:

Elstar identification photos from official fruit collections


ARS GRIN

©Copyright
ARS GRIN

UK National Fruit Collection

©Crown Copyright more >
UK National Fruit Collection

Elstar identification photos from website visitors


Elstar apples tape


Elstar apples


Rate this variety for flavor

Current rating: 4.5 out of 5. Total votes cast: 8
 

Visitor comments

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

30 May 2012 JordanUnited Kingdom
Compared to some of the apples out there, the taste of this apple - at least the one I tasted - is very much mediocre. Very juicy. Sweet compared to older eating apples, but not compared to something like Royal Gala or Discovery. Discovery itself isn't the deepest taste, but even compared to discovery the taste of Elstar is poor as a dessert apple. Noticed a russet-like taste, changing towards the end of eating the apple into a more pear like flavour. Would be much nicer just to eat a pear; even though I tend to prefer apples to pears. Certainly wouldn't plant it as a dessert apple. I envisage that it would make a good juice, but perhaps blended with a stronger tasting apple to give it some depth, which Elstar lacks. Main advantage would be for bulking up - if tree has gold yields.
30 Mar 2012 AkENGLAND, United Kingdom
I bought one of these trees for my garden and it's budding at the moment. I searched in the shops for the variety and bought some and found that they taste very nice, they're a bit like a better Cox's (many of those from the supermarkets are somewhat bland).
05 Feb 2012 ChrisBRITISH COLUMBIA, Canada
Excellent flavor both fresh and cooked. Seems to store quite well - the apples picked four months ago are still firm and sweet, and good eating. If I could have only one apple tree, this would be my first choice.
11 Jun 2010 Willie BrownN.IRELAND, United Kingdom
Just bought one of these today in a pot. It has about 30 little fruits on it. A good start. I chose this variety as label says..Good pollinator...I have a 'self pollinator' which seems to need a mate. We'll see what happens.
24 Apr 2010 Anne LambertCO.ANTRIM, United Kingdom
100% agreement. Happy tree and delicious fruit even in Co.Antrim, not known as one of our apple counties
20 Apr 2010 SusanIreland
I agree with Niamh, - a brilliant apple, & grows easily here in Ireland.
05 Nov 2009 MaryannIL, United States
I bought one of these for my mom about 5-6 years ago from Trees of Antiquity in CA. It bore very well this year in Zone 5 - rural IL - and we love the sweetness of the apples. So much better than anything you can buy in the store. If you're looking for a great apple, Trees of Antiquity still stock them and I've had very good experience with the quality of their products, delivery, etc.
14 Oct 2009 NiamhIRELAND, Ireland
I love this variety. They are so hardy, they can be grown in Ireland organically. That's no mean feat with our weather. Ireland and Holland are the main suppliers of this variety.
05 Oct 2009 LeonONTARIO, Canada
I recently discovered elstar apples grown here in Ontario, Canada, at my local supermarket, and it has become my instant favourite apple
12 Oct 2008 LindaCOLBERT, SPOKANE,WASHINGTON USA, United States
I was introduced to the Elstar several years ago at a small orchard on Greenbluff in Washington state. It is now my favorite apple for eating and cooking.
09 Oct 2008 DarrenKENT, United Kingdom
Sainsburys have Elstar on their basics range currently, and what a superb apple to discover at such a low price! Tastes of Honey, Sherbet Fizz, Crunch, Sharpness - in a very nice overall balance.
04 Oct 2008 Lesley MannNEWTON ABBOT, DEVON, United Kingdom
This apple seems to do well in our damp West country air. Our young tree has cropped well with large crisp juicy fruit. Delicious.
02 Oct 2008 JohnSWANSEA, WALES, United Kingdom
I saw these apples for the first time last week and they were so cheap I only bought a few, thinking they wouldn't be very good. How wrong I was. They are delicious, especially straight out of the fridge. They have the perfect balance of sweetness and acidity and a lovely flavour and crispness.
15 Aug 2008 Robert MortHAVANT, United Kingdom
Just tasted the first fruit from my own tree (amongst others such as cox, egremont russet..) and delighted to say it was a wonderful surprise - the appearance is delightful with blemish-free regular shaped fruit, good for exhibition. The flavour is tangy, juicy and sweet. The tree seems a heavy cropper from an as yet small size.
20 Jan 2008 SarahVIRGINIA, United States
I regularly ate this apple while living in Cologne, Germany. It was a favorite of mine and I am searching for a supplier in the US for a tree.
08 Oct 2007 Brian MurrayWASHINGTON. UK, United Kingdom
Just purchased an Elstar apple on coronet miniature rootstock, and fully agree with your comments. Ive tasted and enjoyed Ingred Marie and Golden Delicious and now Ive the best of both on one tree.

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Fruit tree register

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.

The following Elstar trees have been registered - click the name to view more details of each tree.

You can also view these trees on a map.

United States

United Kingdom

Denmark

Germany

Ireland

Netherlands

Poland



Latest Spring blossom records for this variety

2013 season

  • 12th May  2013  - tree owned by Richard in YORK, United Kingdom
  • 9th May  2013  - tree owned by Kevin in KILWINNING, United Kingdom

2012 season

  • 12th May  2012  - tree owned by Frank in Aghadowey, United Kingdom
  • 8th May  2012  - tree owned by Florian in Brush Prairie, United States
  • 2nd May  2012  - tree owned by Alan in NEWPORT-ON-TAY, United Kingdom
  • 2nd May  2012  - tree owned by Brian in NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, United Kingdom
  • 1st May  2012  - tree owned by David in BRAINTREE, United Kingdom
  • 1st May  2012  - tree owned by Karel in alem, Netherlands
  • 26th April  2012  - tree owned by Dan in UXBRIDGE, United Kingdom
  • April  2012  - tree owned by Mel in CARMARTHEN, United Kingdom

2011 season

  • 8th May  2011  - tree owned by Dan in UXBRIDGE, United Kingdom
  • 21st April  2011  - tree owned by John in ramsgate, United Kingdom
  • 19th April  2011  - tree owned by Karel in alem, Netherlands
  • 15th April  2011  - tree owned by Brian in NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, United Kingdom
  • 10th April  2011  - tree owned by Brian in NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, United Kingdom
  • April  2011  - tree owned by Mel in CARMARTHEN, United Kingdom

2010 season

  • 12th May  2010  - tree owned by Brian in NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, United Kingdom
  • 9th May  2010  - tree owned by John in ramsgate, United Kingdom
  • 9th May  2010  - tree owned by Christine in GOOLE, United Kingdom
  • 6th April  2010  - tree owned by Nikolai in DUBLIN, Ireland
  • April  2010  - tree owned by Mel in CARMARTHEN, United Kingdom

2009 season

  • 18th June  2009  - tree owned by Gary in LANCASTER, United Kingdom
  • 4th May  2009  - tree owned by Ted in Portland, United States
  • May  2009  - tree owned by Anne in BALLYCASTLE, United Kingdom
  • 12th April  2009  - tree owned by Nikolai in DUBLIN, Ireland
  • April  2009  - tree owned by Christine in GOOLE, United Kingdom

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

Latest harvest records for this variety

2013 season

    2012 season

    • 1st week October  2012  - tree owned by Brian in NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, United Kingdom

    2011 season

    • 1st week October  2011  - tree owned by Brian in NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, United Kingdom
    • 1st week October  2011  - tree owned by Brian in NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, United Kingdom
    • October  2011  - tree owned by Mel in CARMARTHEN, United Kingdom

    2010 season

    • 1st week November  2010  - tree owned by Brian in , United Kingdom
    • 2nd week October  2010  - tree owned by Brian in NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, United Kingdom
    • 1st week October  2010  - tree owned by Nikolai in DUBLIN, Ireland
    • October  2010  - tree owned by Mel in CARMARTHEN, United Kingdom
    • 2nd week September  2010  - tree owned by John in ramsgate, United Kingdom

    2009 season

    • 3rd week October  2009  - tree owned by Gary in LANCASTER, United Kingdom
    • 2nd week October  2009  - tree owned by Anne in BALLYCASTLE, United Kingdom
    • 2nd week October  2009  - tree owned by Nikolai in DUBLIN, Ireland
    • 2nd week September  2009  - tree owned by Ted in Portland, United States

Where to buy apple trees

The following fruit tree nurseries offer Elstar apple trees for sale:

Where to buy apples

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