The comprehensive resource for apples and orchards

Gravenstein apple

An old apple variety from Denmark which remains very popular in both Europe and North America on account of its high quality flavor.

Gravenstein photo tape

Gravenstein is an attractive high-quality dessert and culinary apple, first described in 1797. It is well-known in the USA and northern Europe, and is still grown commercially on a small-scale.

Gravenstein is a triploid variety and as is often the case with such varieties, produces a large vigourous tree with dark thick leaves.  Possibly because of its triploid nature Gravenstein seems to have a greater degree of variability than most varieties.  There is also a red "sport" known as Red Gravenstein, where the red coloration is more pronounced (and we think less interesting).

Gravenstein is a relatively hardy variety and can withstand difficult conditions - by European standards.  In North America where summers are often hotter and winters much colder, it has a reputation for being fussy, and undoubtedly does best in areas where the climate is closer to the milder winters and cooler summers of northern Europe.

The real problem with Gravenstein is that it is prone to many diseases and therefore has never achieved the popularity it deserves.  As so often in the world of apples, it seems that the apples with the best flavor are often the most difficult to grow.

Not surprisingly for such an old variety, the origins are uncertain.  It is most closely associated with Denmark, and although widely known as "Gravenstein" in English-speaking countries, an alternative name is "Graasten" since it is thought the mother tree was raised at Graasten Castle in southern Jutland, Denmark.

We are grateful to Johnny Olsen of Vejle, Denmark for the following information:

  • In his 1940 book "Denmarks Fruit Varieties" (Danmarks Frugtsorter) Danish pomologist Anton Pedersen gave Gravenstein 3 stars for eating quality, a score equalled by only one other variety - Signe Tillisch.
  • Gravenstein was declared the "national apple" of Denmark in 2005.

 

We are also grateful to Bill of Vancouver Island for pointing out some excellent Gravenstein identification photos on his website: mars.ark.com/~squeeze/apl-pics/grav.html

Last updated 15 Dec 2010.

Summary

  • Species: Malus domestica
  • Parentage: Unknown
  • Origin: Denmark
  • Introduced: 1797 but much older
  • Orange Pippin Cultivar ID: 110700

Identification

  • Fruit colour: Red / Green
  • Flesh colour: Cream
  • Fruit size: Medium
  • Bultitude apple group: 4. Flushed / striped, smooth, dessert / dual-purpose

Using

  • Good for eating fresh
  • Good for cooking
  • Cooking result: Keeps shape
  • Flavour quality: Very good
  • Flavour style: Sweet/Sharp
  • Ripening period: Mid season
  • Use / keeping: 2-3 weeks

Growing

  • Flowering period: Early season
  • Flowering group: 1
  • Fertility: Self-sterile
  • Triploid: Yes
  • Poor pollinator: Yes
  • Vigour: Large
  • Biennial tendency
  • Gardening skill: Some skill needed
  • Precocity: Slow to start bearing
  • General disease resistance: Poor

Climate

  • Suitable for temperate climates
  • Tolerates cold winters
  • Low-chill requirement A borderline case - only needs about 700 hours

Disease resistance

  • Bacterial canker  Pseudomonas syringae  - Some susceptibility
  • Scab  - Some susceptibility
  • Mildew  - Some susceptibility
  • Fireblight  - Some susceptibility

Relationships to other varieties

Offspring of this variety:

  • Filippa - Filippa is thought to be a seedling of Gravenstein

Sports (natural genetic mutations) of this variety:

Gravenstein identification photos from official fruit collections


UK National Fruit Collection

©Crown Copyright more >
UK National Fruit Collection

Gravenstein identification photos from website visitors



Rate this variety for flavor

Current rating: 4 out of 5. Total votes cast: 5
 

Visitor comments

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

25 Nov 2011 Susan ClarkCA SONOMA COUNTY, United States
I am a grower here in Sebastopol. There are very few of us left. Some of my trees were planted in 1887. Of the original 10 acres, about ten trees remain. They have not had a lick of care since the 1950's and are still producing mostly disease and pest free apples, (albeit some rust.) I am not listed in the 'Where to Buy' section, but would like it to be known that I WILL SHIP ANYWHERE IN THE US! Contact me in July and we can make arrangements.
12 Nov 2011 BillCOUNTY CORK, Ireland
A large robust old Gravenstein tree-- planted in the mid 1910s-- in a seriously neglected orchard that I'm restoring has continued to surprise. It is more resistant to scab and canker (and drastic restoration pruning) than contemporary trees of other varieties here, despite its reputation for susceptibility. It continues to fruit despite no longer having other nearby cultivars that flower as early because its flowers last for weeks! And it has this year yielded over 6 bushels of apples, over a period of 8 weeks (early Sep-early Nov; notable even in our mild coastal climate). It's a great household apple because the crop ripens in small batches over so long a period, so there is never a glut (although windfall apples bruise easily and seem to be especially favoured by slugs). I don't feel it's the best eater-- although tasty enough-- but it makes terrific apple sauce/stewed apples and is good in pies too (best mixed with other cookers?). I understand it is also great in blended juice-- plan to test this next year.
13 May 2011 LorraineNV, United States
One summer while living in Altadena, CA, my mother and I went to Albertson's grocery store in Sierra Madre, CA which displayed gravenstein apples. Never having tasted them, I asked the produce man about them. I learned that they were a very good cooking apple and great for apple pies. Since my husband loved apple pies and it was summer, I thought I'd try them. They made wonderful pies, and I was hooked! Then I found gravenstein sweetened applesauce in Von's grocery store. Now, none are available, and I'm drowning in sorrow! (I did find a jar of unsweeted gravenstein applesauce at Trader Joe's, but I much prefer the sweetened kind.) I read On-Line that Safeway has gravenstein applesauce, but I haven't been to the one Safeway in Las Vegas to verify if this is true as it's quite a distance from my home. All I can say is, I did plant a gravenstein tree in my yard, but it's too soon to tell if it's going to survive. It's the prince of all apples. I am looking for another gravenstein tree but am having a difficult time locating one at several nurseries. I won't give up because gravenstein apples are so choice!
24 Nov 2010 Arthur SaundersBRITISH COLUMBIA, Canada
I,ve looking for the old apple varity of Gravenstein I am very intrested in getting a couple plant of the older varity Gravenstirens
21 Oct 2010 L. L. LifeB. C., Canada
I grew up on Vancouver Island (s. coast, B. C.) with a mature Gravenstein apple tree as our #1 producer in our 3 tree orchard. It never seemed to have any problems - despite notes here about susceptibility to various ailments - and always bore a massive crop of apples. We thinned out the green apples and collected the windfalls for the best pies and applesauce ever. The ripe apples kept in our coldroom till around December; it was always something of a race to use the last of them up, but even past their best for eating, they were still a good cooking apple. Our tree's fruit tended to be large and yellow with a red blush on 1/4 to 1/2 the apple, and as the fruit matured it developed a distinctive, waxy coating on the skin. The apples were at their very best for eating just as that waxy coating formed. I've been totally spoiled for any commercial varieties ever since. Oddly enough, the only one that ever came close were the first Braeburns from New Zealand. However, when you can find it at all, that variety has changed and isn't as good anymore.
10 Oct 2010 TomaWA, United States
A good all round apple we use for applesauce and juice. If you live near Tacoma, WA, USA you can sponsor ($35) and tend a Grav at the Curran Orchards Park. They have other varieties as well. http://www.curranappleorchard.com/frames.html
17 Apr 2010 Karin SusanALESSANDRIA, PIEDMONT, Italy
I also love Gravenstein apples and would like to grow some. I first experienced eating them in Denmark.
25 Oct 2009 ColinCOWICHAN BAY, B.C., Canada
We have an ancient 1900's apple orchard on our farm (been in family since 1862 when homesteaded). Some strange apples trees left including Two Gravensteins, one of which fell over 10 years ago but still produces fruit (Horizontally). Absolutely the best eating apple I have ever had! Everyone that tries apples from these trees asks "What kind of apple is this?....never tasted anything as good!". Gotta eat them off the tree at the right time. Too bad they don't keep! WE LOVE GRAVENSTEINS!
08 Sep 2009 Stephanie Van BuskirkSAULT STE. MARIE, ON, Canada
I have only four grocers to choose from in my community.(Nary a Grav to be found) I miss the many green grocers in my old neighbourhood in East Vancouver, BC where a good sized Gravenstein would be my lunch. I would almost have them shipped from BC.
27 Jul 2009 Susan CampbellSEBASTOOPOL, CA, United States
Our local Slow Food chapter has worked for 6 years on preserving the Sebastopol Gravenstein. Now the apple has been placed on the Art of Taste with the Slow Food International Foundation for Biodiversity. One can buy Gravs from some of our rare fruit growers in the area: http://www.crfg.org/. For more info on saving the Gravensteins and where to buy them fresh, go to http://www.slowfoodrr.org/localprojects.html.
26 Jul 2009 KevinPARKSVILLE, BC, Canada
Just moved back to Vancouver Island in Dec. I'm told that the three apple trees in the backyard are Gravensteins, so I'm eagerly anticipating harvest in October.
25 Feb 2009 Lisa WillisBAKERSFIELD, CA, United States
My parents had a Gravenstein apple tree that produced for well over 30 years. It was the only apple we ever used to make apple pies -- they were the Best! Sadly, it became diseased and died and I have not been able to find a local source to replace it. I sure miss those pies!
26 Nov 2008 Henriette WymarARCADIA, LA/CA, United States
I'm originally from Holland also. I'm really upset because the local Pavilions stopped carrying my favorite Gravenstein applesauce which I've been buying there for 20 years. The thing is I never checked if it was S&W or another firm. Please don' tell me they've gone out of business. I don't want the other brands; they don't have that fresh, clean, not overly sweet taste. Trader Joe has the unsweetened, but I liked the regular one. Anyone know who in the southland still carries it?
14 Nov 2008 CherylUNION BEACH, NEW JERSEY, United States
I would put the hawaii apple (starks bros) on top 10 for taste. The apple is good for eating and cooking -pies, dessert. It's not a great keeper. I also like winesap.
10 Oct 2008 OddjobESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS, United States
"Curiously a friend in Burnie, Tasmania (a fine climate for apples) related to me that her Gravenstein didn't fruit at all in the summer of 2006 but threw a bumper crop in the summer of 2007." Actually (at least in the USA) this is a common behavior of apple trees when they are left to their own devices. One of the purposes of pruning is to suppress the trees' natural inclination to this fruiting behavior.
15 Sep 2008 Bryan D. LynchVICTORIA,, Australia
I am not an apple eater but I go crazy for the Gravenstein which in the Australian summers is past its prime almost as soon as it's off the tree. Curiously a friend in Burnie, Tasmania (a fine climate for apples) related to me that her Gravenstein didn't fruit at all in the summer of 2006 but threw a bumper crop in the summer of 2007. If you're after Gravensteins in Victoria, head for the high country in the state's north-east where you can be lucky to find them for sale by the side of the road!
14 Sep 2008 Paula ChegwiddenVICTORIA BRITISH COLUMBIA, Canada
Gravensteins are the best thing about late August in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley, my former home. I like sour and crunchy types. They do age quickly, so are best enjoyed as close to picking as possible. Unfortunately they are difficult to come by out here in B.C., my new address.
03 Sep 2008 Lynda CoveyREDWOOD CITY, CA, United States
My grandparents grew up in the Sebastopol area. Every year they would travel up there from the bay area and bring home flats of Gravs. My grandmother made pies and applesauce. I have a tree in my backyard and every year my family can't wait for my Grav apple pie and applesauce. They are a special apple!
09 Aug 2008 AlissaSAN RAFAEL, CA, United States
We have a lovely Gravenstein in our backyard that is overflowing with the yummiest apples ever. Deer go crazy over the fallen apples. I dry some in a food dehydrator and they make great snacks all year round. I think the Gravenstein Apple Fair is going on in Sebastopool this weekend and we may drive up to check it out.
22 May 2008 FNetherlands
My family's last name is as well Gravenstein (wrote Gravesteijn here). This family name can be found back till 1680 in Holland. There are a lot more family's in holland called Gravesteijn. About the apple, I know that it exists but never found it. Is it true that there is a city called Gravenstein in the USA?? Maybe there is a link between these family's?
13 Dec 2007 EmmaNEVADA CITY, CA, United States
Gravenstein is my family's last name. You can find Gravenstein Apple products in Sebastopol, California, USA.
22 Sep 2007 Brian McallisterWISCONSIN, United States
We found a group of wild growing Gravenstein apples in Adams Cty Wi. They are wonderful tasting apple and an interesting texture.
03 Aug 2007 TomUnited Kingdom
No doubt the best apple on the world, I grew up in Denmark eating at least one apple a day, Gravenstein was the favorite, I am now living in Georgia, I haven't been able to find Gravenstein here in the south, HELP, I can find the Gravenstein applesauce but not the apple, Imagine my surprise when I read Gravenstein is called Graasten in Denmark, I have never heard that name before, I was borne in Copenhagen 1934 and have lived in USA since 1958.

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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 Gravenstein 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

Czech Republic

Ireland

Australia

New Zealand

Switzerland

Poland



Latest Spring blossom records for this variety

2011 season

  • 19th May  2011  - tree owned by Ron in ORION, United States
  • May  2011  - tree owned by Karen in QUILCENE, United States

2009 season

  •  May  2009  - tree owned by Carolyn in ESTACADA, United States

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

Latest harvest records for this variety

2011 season

  • 3rd week September  2011  - tree owned by Arthur in KLAMATH FALLS, United States
  • September  2011  - tree owned by Vojtech in ZATEC, Czech Republic
  • 3rd week August  2011  - tree owned by Larry in CORVALLIS, United States

2009 season

  • September  2009  - tree owned by Vojtech in ZATEC, Czech Republic
  • September  2009  - tree owned by Carolyn in ESTACADA, United States

Mature heights for Gravenstein trees

This table shows the likely mature height for a Gravenstein tree taking into account the vigor of the variety, the rootstock, and soil conditions.

Rootstock Soil quality
Poor Below average Average Above average Very good
P22 3.2 ft
1.0 m		 3.9 ft
1.2 m		 4.7 ft
1.5 m		 5.5 ft
1.7 m		 6.3 ft
1.9 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 6.8 ft
2.1 m		 8.4 ft
2.6 m		 10.1 ft
3.1 m		 11.8 ft
3.6 m		 13.5 ft
4.1 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 11.7 ft
3.6 m		 14.6 ft
4.5 m		 17.6 ft
5.4 m		 20.5 ft
6.3 m		 23.4 ft
7.2 m
M25 13.5 ft
4.1 m		 16.9 ft
5.2 m		 20.3 ft
6.2 m		 23.6 ft
7.2 m		 27.0 ft
8.3 m

From an idea by N. Buck - more details.

Where to buy apple trees

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

Where to buy apples

The following orchards and suppliers offer Gravenstein apples for sale. map >

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