Gravenstein apple

Gravenstein apple identification images

All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.

USDA identification images for Gravenstein

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.

Visitor reviews

• 31 May 2023  Pat Laurence

  I live in IL, but travel to CA twice each year and I always hope to find Gravenstein apples. They are the very BEST!
• 23 Jul 2020  Nicole CarterNSW, United States

  Gravestein on M26 rootstock has wooly aphid issues. Grown as a Thomas bouche hedge. Reliable spur fruiter with lighter crops every second year. Suspect it is pollinating with Jonathan. Fruit fly netted also protects them from lorikeets.
• 08 Aug 2019  AlissaBRITISH COLUMBIA, Canada

  Has the texture of a Macintosh and the tartness of a Granny Smith. I don't like Macs as I am very tactile. I won't eat these off the tree... but I will make them into apple sauce!!
• 14 Jan 2019  Siebert TensevenCA, United States

  We have Gravs all over the place here and they are nice early apples. I like them best for baking, but have made hard cider as well. They do not transport well and have a quick shelf life. Nice and sweet but a bit mealy, which makes for great pies or my new favorite Gravenstein Upside Down Cake.
• 20 Oct 2018  KellyOR, United States

  The Gravenstein is my top choice for pie baking. The problem is, the apple has been disappearing from the market scene in the Pacific Northwest. My best source has now quit the business and I must find an adequate replacement....
• 17 Sep 2018  Holly StoneKY, United States

  I live in KY and grew up with Gravensteins in the PNW would the grow in central KY.
• 19 Sep 2017  Pam MannWASHINGTON, United States

  Gravenstein: THE BEST APPLE IN THE WORLD FOR APPLESAUCE! So smooooth, with just the right amount of tartness and flavor. Cook until soft in just enough water to keep the apples at the bottom from burning, run through a conical colander or food mill, then sweeten with sugar and add cinnamon...YUM! Stores a long time in the freezer (even years!) if it stays hidden from my family for long enough! I especially like it to be on the thin side, so I just add a little more water. Very few things can be called "the BEST," this is one of them. Hard to find the apples here, so I planted my own tree.
• 18 Sep 2016  JodyONTARIO, Canada

  This is the best apple there ever was. I only wish I could find them in Ontario.
• 03 Aug 2016  PaulaOREGON, United States

  I have a Gravenstein Apple Tree in my backyard that my mother planted about 38 years ago. it was never pruned and it's huge. it's about oh I don't know forty feet high and the apples are absolutely delicious. there has been a couple years we've actually gotten two different seasons off of it. they do come early and they're huge and beautiful. they make applesauce that you don't have to add sugar or spices to if you don't want to. we had a cider press and made cider that tasted like apple lemonade it was delicious. I have some fun pictures.
• 16 Sep 2015  Beth ParkhurstMASSACHUSETTS, United States

  Gravenstein is my favorite early-season pie apple. As it's juicier than other pie apples, I use extra thickeners (flour and cornstarch). It requires only a little spice (nutmeg and cinnamon) to make a delicious pie; I'd advise pie-bakers to take care not to overwhelm the Gravenstein's nice flavor with spices.
• 26 Mar 2015  LeonieVICTORIA, Australia

  Gravenstein is the best apple, bar none. It's the first apple to ripen (February). I wait all year for my first Gravenstein of the season. No, it doesn't keep. But, for me, that adds to the joy. Pick it and eat it! Yes, it cooks well. But why do that when you can enjoy that crisp, resounding, sweet-tart, crunch when it's fresh? What can I say? I love Gravensteins. ;)
• 02 Dec 2014  Carl On Cape CodWEST BARNSTABLE, United States

  This is the first apple of the season around here, at least that I want to eat. The taste is simple, probably best described as being "clean", which is probably just another way of saying "balanced" without many other flavors. A nice refreshing crunch, too. I like it enough to have planted one.
• 30 Sep 2014  MkgoodeMASSACHUSETTS, UNITED STATES, United States

  The red sport of this variety grows pretty well up here in cold New England-the man at the farmer's market said this year was a red banner year for it, and after tasting them, I agree wholeheartedly. Lots of juice, and when I cooked it into applesauce, I thought it was going to be too sweet-it was lovely! Been using the apple as part of a plan to wean me off sweets, but tastes better than any crud the stores have.
• 15 Sep 2014  Bob JohnsBRITISH COLUMBIA, Canada

  I have some Gravenstein apples on a branch of a tree which the Gravensteins share with Golden Delicious, Spartan and Granny Smiths. I've just eaten the last two Gravensteins, and the flavour was quite exceptional. They didn't produce such a big crop this year, but they made up for the small quantity with the taste. I'm located on Vancouver Island, where they seem to do well.
• 10 Jan 2014  Elio EnidiasCA, United States

  Luther Burbank said this was basically the ultimate apple. Very sweet, crisp, and delicious, with an unmistakable flavor. Unfortunately, these apples can't be stored for any length of time. But, on the bright side, that means that when you do find them at the market, they are still reasonably fresh.
• 12 Oct 2013  DavinaCA, United States

  Another fan of the local Gravs--love the flavor cooked or fresh, but perhaps my favorite thing about this variety is the intense aroma! One apple in the fruit bowl can infuse the entire room with a mouthwatering aroma. Also the Sebastopol Gravenstein fair in late summer is great fun, especially with kids.
• 15 Aug 2013  Gary HeglerMICHIGAN, United States

  The earliest fruiting tree I have in my orchard. Bears late July, usually. Early August this year (2013) due to late blossoming. Terrible keeper (1-2 weeks), but makes the best applesauce, bar none. Anyone I give the apples to raves about the applesauce. Don't try to eat the applesauce w/o sugar, way too tart. Just add enough sugar until the sour taste goes away and you will have the best applesauce ever.
• 07 May 2013  AviNY, United States

  I can't say much about this apple. It only bloomed one measly year for me and produced an apple or two. I think I'm going to get rid of it.
• 19 Apr 2013  SueAUCKLAND PROVINCE, New Zealand

  Interesting site - thank you. Gravenstein apples from one old decaying tree are one of my happy childhood memories. The crispness and flavour ! No commercial growers grow them in NZ. However, after 30 years in our new home we are having to cull an apple tree that has silver leaf virus. Hubby plans to buy a medium sized grafted apple tree to replace it. His cousin has offered to send Gravenstein scions, at the right time, so we can - hopefully - have the taste of Gravenstein around here. (We don't have room for another full-sized apple tree.)
• 29 Oct 2012  LauraOR, United States

  I just tried my first Gravenstein after a recommendation from a local Oregon grower. I love tart apples and usually keep Granny Smiths or McIntoshes around the house depending on the season. I'm so glad to have happened upon the Gravenstein; I'm only sad that they don't keep a little longer. I really enjoyed this variety as an eating apple—not too sweet—although the flesh is just a little bit softer than I prefer. I also made a lovely sour cream coffee cake with caramelized Gravensteins as a topping. I'm not a great fan of cooked fruits but I will be adding cooked Gravensteins to my regular repertoire and plan to stock up and make my own applesauce. This apple will definitely be added to my list of favorites.
• 18 Aug 2012  Cathy EarpCA, United States

  We have a tree on our small property that has been providing the most tastey apples for 15 years now. A friend told me she thought it was a Gravenstein. It fits all descriptions here! Most interesting is that it has something wrong with it that the tree is living on about 1/3 of its trunk-the other 2/3 has been eaten away by disease and/or termites(???). BUT it has continued to produce the most beautiful and delicious apples even though the trunk has been like this for at least 8 years! We love our little tree, it is such a blessing!
• 22 Jul 2012  KariBC, Canada

  I have a 50 year old Gravenstein apple tree in our backyard (which used to be my grandparents house). It is still producing (lots this year) but I can tell it is getting old and would like to buy another one. I think they are by far the best all round apple . For the past several years I have been dehydrating them with no sugar added and they are the best!!!!
• 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 SusanPIEDMONT, 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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• United Kingdom7
• Czech Republic1
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• Canada14
• Australia7
• New Zealand3
• Switzerland1
• Poland1

Where to buy trees

The following tree nurseries offer Gravenstein apple trees for sale:

• Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (USA) United States
  Gravenstein apple trees
• Thomas Fruit Trees (EU) France
  Gravenstein apple trees
• Burnt Ridge Nursery and Orchards
  United States  More >>
• Cummins Nursery
  United States  More >>
• Keepers Nursery
  United Kingdom  More >>

Where to buy fresh fruit

The following orchards grow Gravenstein:

United States

• Arizona

  • Beatty's Orchard, Hereford

• California

  • Apple-A-Day Ratzlaff Ranch, Sebastopol, CA
  • Jack Creek Farms, Templeton
  • Kozlowski Farms - "Sonoma County Classics", Forestville
  • Parrish Pioneer Ranch, Yucaipa
  • Prevedelli Farms, Watsonville
  • Riley's Apple Farm #1, Oak Glen
  • Riley's at Los Rios Rancho, Yucaipa
  • Schmidt Road Ranch, Sebastopol
  • Smit Farms, Linden
  • The Apple Farm -- Bates & Schmitt, Philo

• Colorado

  • Gott Bro's Orchard & Produce, L.L.C., Ignacio
  • Masonville Orchard, Fort Collins

• Connecticut

  • Palazzi Orchard, East Killingly
  • Seek No Further Orchard, Hebron
  • Staehly Farms, East Haddam

• Delaware

  • Fifer Orchards, Camden Wyoming

• Idaho

  • Kelley Orchards (Weiser), Weiser

• Iowa

  • Gravert's Apple Basket Orchard, Sabula
  • Mincer Orchard & Farms, Hamburg

• Kansas

  • Fieldstone Enterprise, Overbrook

• Maine

  • Conant Orchards, Etna
  • Eden Acres Family Farm, East Waterboro
  • Tiny Orchards, Saco

• Massachusetts

  • Autumn Hill Orchards, Groton
  • Clarkdale Fruit Farms, Deerfield
  • Russell Orchards, Ipswich
  • Tougas Family Farm, Northborough

• Michigan

  • Alber's Orchard & Cider Mill, Manchester
  • Tompkins' Orchard and Country Store, Vassar

• Montana

  • Cherry Red Orchard, Bigfork
  • O'Farrell Orchards, Bigfork
  • Ross Orchards, Fromberg

• New Hampshire

  • Alyson's Apple Orchard, Walpole
  • Applecrest Farm Orchards, Hampton Falls
  • Gould Hill Farm, Contoocook
  • Old Ciderpress Farm, Westmoreland

• New Jersey

  • Pochuck Valley Farms Market and deli, Glenwood

• New Mexico

  • Manzanar Los Silvestres, Abiquiu

• New York

  • Dr. Davies Farm, Congers

• Oregon

  • Bells Orchard, Beaverton
  • First Fruits, Independence
  • Haury Farms, Salem
  • Jossy Farms, Hillsboro
  • Kiyokawa Family Orchards, Mount Hood Parkdale
  • Marquam Meadows Fruit Company, Molalla
  • Mason Hill Orchard, North Plains
  • Old Stage Farm, Central Point
  • Randall Pratt Farms, Grants Pass
  • River Bend Farm/Pleasant Hill Orchard, Eugene
  • Smith Berry Barn, Hillsboro
  • Stephens Farm, Dayton
  • Territorial Road Orchard, Corvallis
  • Thomas Orchards, Kimberly
  • B&P Hitz Fruit Farm, Woodburn

• Pennsylvania

  • Holy Root Farm, New Tripoli
  • Northrop's Apple Acres, Lake City

• Rhode Island

  • Appleland Orchard, LLC, Greenville
  • Barden Family Orchard, North Scituate

• Washington

  • Muscle and Arm Farm, Freeland
  • Piper's Orchard, Seattle
  • Rosabella's Garden, Bow
  • Skipley Farm, Snohomish        *** Feature Orchard ***
  • Tonnemaker Hill Farm, Royal City

• Wisconsin

  • Cattleana Ranch, Poygan Township/Omro

United Kingdom

• England - midlands

  • The Vyne, Basingstoke

Canada

• British Columbia

  • Apple Lane Orchards, Denman Island
  • Applebarn -- Taves Family Farms, Abbotsford
  • Blue Haze Farm, Victoria
  • Dragonfly Farm, Salt Spring Island
  • Fruit Forest Certified Organic Farm, Cobble Hill
  • Garside's Fruit Farm, Abbotsford
  • Michell Brothers Farm, Victoria
  • Ravenskill Orchards, Gabriola Island
  • Salt Spring Apple Company, Salt Spring Island
  • Spencer Hill Orchard, Grand Forks
  • Swallow Hill Farm and Orchard, Metchosin

• New Brunswick

  • Verger Belliveau Orchard, Memramcook

• Nova Scotia

  • Elderkin's Farm Market, Greenwich
  • Vista Bella Farm Orchard and Apiary, Malagash

• Ontario

  • O'Keefe Grange, Dobbinton

Australia

• Victoria

  • Heritage Fruits Society, Fairfield
  • Petty's Orchard, Templestowe

Switzerland

• Geneva

  • Verger de Saint-Loup, Versoix

References

• Cedar-Apple Rust  
  Author: Stephen Vann, University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture (FSA7538)
  Rated as very resistant - no control needed against CAR.
• Apples for the 21st Century
  Author: Manhart
• Apples of England (1948)
  Author: Taylor