Gravenstein apple

Malus domestica

A good quality dessert apple. People who like it tend to REALLY like it!

Gravenstein apple photo tape

Parentage: Unknown
Origin: Denmark
Introduced: 1797 but much older
Season: Nov-Dec
Apple cultivar ID: 110700


Gravenstein is an attractive high-quality dessert and culinary apple, for use October-November.  It was first described in 1797. Unfortunately this variety is prone to many diseases and therefore has never achieved the popularity it deserves.  It is nevertheless 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.  There is also a red "sport" known as Red Gravenstein, where the red coloration is more pronounced (and we think less interesting).  As might be expected from its (probable) northern European origins, Gravenstein is a hardy variety and can withstand difficult conditions.

Although widely known as "Gravenstein" in English-speaking countries, the correct name is "Graasten" since 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



Relationships to other apple varieties

Offspring of this variety:

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


Visitor comments

(Use the form at the bottom to add your own comments, or reply to one of the existing comments)

25 Feb 2009 18:26   Lisa Willis from Bakersfield, CA
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!Reply to this comment
26 Nov 2008 19:51   Henriette Wymar from Arcadia, LA/CA
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?Reply to this comment
14 Nov 2008 18:12   cheryl from union beach, new jersey
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.Reply to this comment
15 Sep 2008 12:41   Bryan D. Lynch from Victoria, 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!Reply to this comment
10 Oct 2008 14:25   oddjob from Essex County, Massachusetts (USA)
"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.

14 Sep 2008 20:24   Paula Chegwidden from Victoria British Columbia
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.Reply to this comment
03 Sep 2008 06:13   Lynda Covey from Redwood City, CA
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!Reply to this comment
09 Aug 2008 17:47   Alissa from San Rafael, CA
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.Reply to this comment
22 May 2008 10:49   F from Holland
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?Reply to this comment
13 Dec 2007 22:23   Emma from Nevada City, Ca
Gravenstein is my family's last name. You can find Gravenstein Apple products in Sebastopol, California, USA.Reply to this comment
22 Sep 2007 21:52   Brian McAllister from Wisconsin, USA
We found a group of wild growing Gravenstein apples in Adams Cty Wi. They are wonderful tasting apple and an interesting texture.Reply to this comment
03 Aug 2007 11:21   Karen from Georgia, USA
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.Reply to this comment

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Where to buy apple trees

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

Where to buy fruit and related products

The following orchards and suppliers offer Gravenstein apples for sale:

Apple tree register

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

  • 09 Aug 08  Axel Kratel
    Gravenstein
    Santa Cruz, California, United States

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

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