All about apples, pears, plums, and cherries - and orchards where they are grown

Honeycrisp apple

Malus domestica
/ 23 see reviews

Honeycrisp, or Honey Crisp, is a modern apple variety, developed in the 1960s and introduced to the market in the 1990s - sometimes trademarked as Honeycrunch. It is increasingly available in supermarkets. Honeycrisp comes from a long line of apples developed by the University of Minnesota from the 1930s onwards. One of the objectives of this breeding programme has been to develop varieties which can tolerate the bitter cold of winters in some parts of the USA, and most plantings have been in the northern USA, including New England, Minnesota and Washington State.

The parentage of modern apple varieties is often obscure because they are the result of lengthy breeding programs with cross after cross.  The University of Minnesota initially stated that the original parentage was Honeygold (raised in the 1930s from a cross between Golden Delicious and another University of Minnesota development, Haralson) and Macoun, a well-known American variety, developed in the 1920s.  This seemed plausible, but subsequently the University carried out a DNA test which indicated that the records were incorrect, and suggested Keepsake - another University of Minnesota variety might have been one of the parents.  Honeycrisp does have a close resemblance in flavor and appearance to Keepsake. In 2017 the results of further analyses were published whcih proved that Keepsake was a parent, along with another selection called MN1627 which has now been lost, and that Golden Delicious and Duchess of Oldenburg were grandparents of MN1627.

Honeycrisp is a medium-to-large sized apple, with a light green/yellow background largely covered with red-orange flush with strong hint of pink if grown in good sunlight. The skin may be flecked with occasional russet dots. The flesh is white, perhaps not quite as bright as a McIntosh style apple, but similarly crisp and not too dense.  The colour however can be quite variable.

The flavour is sweet with very little trace of acidity and little depth or complexity. There can also be a trace of pear-drop flavour. In a good example this is a juicy and instantly refreshing apple, in a less good example it will be simply sweet and bland (but still very nice).  As its name suggests this is genuinely a crisp / crunchy apple.  However since the flesh is quite light, the crunch is surprisingly soft, nothing like the hard crisp crunch of a good Golden Delicious.

Surprisingly for a modern commerical apple variety, Honeycrisp tends to bruise easily, and therefore is usually sold in packs rather than loose. Northern hemisphere fruit ripens relatively early in September. The apples keep until April in storage and retain their crispness.  Interestingly it appears that the flavour can improve for 7-10 days after being taken out of cold store, which means that stock taken from cold store and then purchased by consumers is likely to be in optimum condition.  In contrast many apple varieties held in cold store tend to ripen and then go past their best very quickly once they are taken out of storage.

Honeycrisp has proven to be a good variety for the commercial grower and also the backyard orchardist.  It has good disease resistance and although developed for cold-hardiness, appears to have a very wide climate range.

Honeycrisp has become a runaway success in the USA, with demand regularly outstripping supply.  The flavor whilst not outstanding is certainly very good, making it a very enjoyable and undemanding apple, particularly if cooled in the fridge before eating.  In Europe it is sometimes marketed as Honeycrunch.

USDA identification images for Honeycrisp

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.

    Parents and other ancestors of this variety


    Offspring of this variety


    Visitor reviews

    • 03 Oct 2022 
      A lot of HYPE for a over rated apple. I would compare them to a glorified spy. A lot of other apples out there are fare superior in crisp, crunch, flavor, and will also keep a lot better! Not at all with the money.
    • 12 Apr 2022 
      I love Macintosh. I kept hearing about this variety. I bought some. These are excellent: juicy, crisp, sweet, etc. Worthwhile purchase.
    • 09 Dec 2020  GEORGIA, United States
      While I can't claim to be an apple connoisseur, I do find that Honeycrisp is the best variety of apple I've had so far. Granted, I haven't had any rare or uncommon varieties of apples. The crisp, juiciness goes well with the sweet, almost punch-like flavor. I've had some that weren't so good, but when you get one in its correct state I think it's quite delicious.
    • 18 Nov 2020  SOUTHAMPTON, United Kingdom
      A rare visitor to the supermarket shelves, in the UK are these incredibly crisp soft skinned juicy delicious apples. Send more to the UK please.
    • 05 Jul 2020  NY, United States
      It seems to me that it is a tail of two apples. If they are grown the North East they are excellent. The Honey Crisp I get that are grown in upstate NY are one of the best eating apples ever. They are Sweet/tart crisp and refreshing. The Honey Crisp from Washington State bland and insipid. They are one of the least appealing apples to eat.
    • 06 Jan 2020  CO, United States
      I loved this apple variety when I first discovered it about 3 or 4 years ago. Since then I am usually very disappointed in the taste; it seems very bland and sometimes almost sour. I now purchase Fuji almost exclusively.
    • 21 Oct 2019  MI, United States
      Less flavor than Gold Delicious. It has some crunch, and it has some water, but not a lot of taste, just a bland kind of sweetness like if you put a little sugar - not a lot - on a cucumber. ugh.
    • 16 Jun 2019  IDAHO, United States
      Great apple; pick it early it's great. Pick it a bit late, still great. Far superior to most cold hardy apples.
    • 15 Apr 2019  MD, United States
      Flavor is not consistent. Some very good, some disappointing. Price is too high for chancy purchase.
    • 02 Mar 2019  SEATTLE, United States
      Pretty good apple. Doesn't have thick skin and the sweetness levels are well balanced. If you're looking for a good tasting basic apple, honeycrisp is the way to go.
    • 07 Dec 2018  HALIFAX, Canada
      This apple is very good but there's wax on it and my friend is allergic to this wax and I wish he could enjoy this apple with me. This is why I gave it a 4 out of 5
    • 25 Sep 2018  UK, United Kingdom
      Planted this tree in 2015 in an area that remains relatively damp all year. I removed all immature fruit in the first two seasons to favour root growth. This season, the tree has grown strongly and developed, with suitable pruning, a perfect shape/structure. The tree produced a lot of blossom this year and has been untroubled by pests. We have picked some 20 perfect apples, which all of my family and my friends say are the best they have ever tasted. They are sweet, crisp and the juice sort of explodes into your mouth as you chew. Children can't get enough of them. What a find. Get one if you can.
    • 18 Sep 2018  WA, United States
      Poor choice to grow at home: easily stunted by overbearing at a young age; youngest leaves cannot release sugars to the rest of the tree and become yellow and sickly looking, fruit hit hard by bitter pit and excavated by earwigs. One things good: it keeps shape baked, although it is very light in flavor that way.
    • 05 Sep 2018  ME, United States
      So good. Always the best. Why are there even other options.
    • 28 May 2018  ONTARIO, Canada
      I like Honeycrisp apples when they taste right, but often I find that they have a bitter flavour. My husband can't taste that bitterness. Have others experienced this?
    • 02 Jan 2018  IOWA, United States
      I was first turned onto the Honeycrisp apple by a friend who sent one to me from Iowa to California, where I lived at the time. It was Crisp and juicy and sweet and just the best apple I ever had. Then suddenly they started showing up in our store in California but I was very disappointed in the flavor I think they may have been grown somewhere else other than the Midwest. Now I live in Iowa and I buy the honeycrisp apples here and they are definitely different than the honeycrisp apples I had in California. The Midwest honeycrisp apples are extremely crisp sweet and juicy. Chilled they're just amazing!
    • 27 Nov 2017  NEW JERSEY, United States
      I've given this apple several tries after hearing all the hype. Time and again, I've been disappointed. While they do have a great crunch, the flavor is sour and bland every time I eat it! Not sure if it's where they're grown, when they're picked or how they're stored but I just cannot believe the following this apple has. I much prefer a flavorful, sweet, tart, and tangy apple so Granny Smiths and Pink Ladies are currently my favorites. Most apples sold in supermarkets today seem to be pretty but bland also so I've decided to grow my own.
    • 09 Nov 2017  AZ, United States
      WAIT FOR THE SURPRISE! Been eating apples since early 70s (grew up in Minnesota). Have had a LOT of apples including the HC. Well, just today I tasted something I’ve never before: a standard HC, sure it was sweet and had a slight lemony tang, but the kicker was the hint of Lavender. Lavender! Unmistakeable, and never experienced that note in a HC or any other apple before. It was from Costco, so either WA or OR grown.
    • 20 Oct 2017  LOUISIANA, United States
      nothing said about cooking. can you cook with them
    • 21 Aug 2017  ALBERTA, Canada
      Just waiting for the first crop off our Honeycrisp tree. We are west of Edmonton Alberta, with a 3 year old tree. (about 12 apples) Our winters didn't damage it at all.
    • 11 Aug 2017  United Kingdom
      My absolute favorite apple after I discovered it at a fruit stand in Palisade, CO. I love that you can get them in the grocery store! Sadly, they aren't available in the UK, and Jazz apples are a poor replacement.
    • 16 Apr 2017  COLORADO, United States
      Addicted to Honeycrisp! One of my favorite days of the year is the day they first arrive at the local market. Best of the best - they spoil it for the rest...
    • 09 Apr 2017  AK, United States
      This is by far my favorite apple. Crisp, great flavor and very juicy. I won't eat any other variety.
    • 24 Feb 2017  FL, United States
      I found Honey Crisp at my local Costco store in Naples Florida. Originally I would buy Red Delicious and have maybe two a week. I now eat a Honey Crisp every night before bed! Outstanding Taste, Texture, Firmness, and a wonderful after taste that stays sweet long after I've finished! Being diabetic, I find it very satisfying and I know it has yet to affect my blood readings in the slightest!
    • 09 Dec 2016  MT, United States
      When was the last time you had an apple? Was it yesterday? The day before? Are you eating one right now? Because I am. This apple hasn't changed my life, but I feel like if my life needed a change, it would have. HoneyCrisp 4 life.
    • 08 Sep 2016  WA, United States
      I have tried to grow two of these trees in my orchard, but they both died. 3 years ago I planted a bare root one into a large pot where it has thrived. It had 3 apples last year but they got ugly and pitted then rotted. This year there is ONE apple. I enclosed it in plastic sandwich bag to keep it clean and bug free-IT LOVES IT THERE!! It's huge and no bugs. Problem is I don't know the perfect time to pick it. It's beginning to change color and it will be in the 90's next week. I think I will open the bag and smell it. Any other ideas?
    • 31 Jan 2016  IA, United States
      I LOVE ? these Honeycrisp Apples. I started eating regular apples that my grocery store carried that we're already cut up. I came upon some Honeycrisp and that's when I was hooked on them. Don't thing I will eat another apples, but Honeycrisp. I eat 12 small apples a day at work and home. Does anyone know if this too many apples in a day? Is there any sodium in these, if so I will have to cut back.
    • 04 Oct 2015  WI, United States
      I've never had a Golden Delicious that was "crunchy", so I don't know where they got that from. As for Honeycrisp, they're excellent. I consider them quite remarkable, as the flavor combined with the Granny Smith-like crunch is a quite remarkable combination.
    • 21 Sep 2015  MASSACHUSETTS, United States
      Nothing wrong with honeycrisp, but hardly exceptional. Certainly a very pretty apple. Very crisp, crunchy indeed, but perhaps even a bit hard? Taste is clean, sweet, very mildly fragrant, but unremarkable.
    • 30 Aug 2015  MO, United States
      I remember exactly the road I was driving on when I had my first honey crisp apple experience. It was by far the best apple I had ever tasted in my 24 years. A co-worker of mine had recently discovered them at a produce market near her home and wanted me to try one. Fast forward 5 years and I introduced them to my husband. I have ruined all other apples for him. He will only eat honey crisp and they are currently not available in our area. I called around and they are expected within the next 2 weeks. I guess the kids and I will be eating gala until then! I shop with a local fruit vendor who tells me apples are stored for a year before they even get sold. I am interested to learn more about that process.
    • 20 Aug 2015  WISCONSIN, United States
      Several years ago we stopped at an apple orchard market and I spotted these apples that were kind of expensive. I thought I have to try these to see why. Well oh my, what an outstanding apple. Now our local orchard grows them and they are more reasonable. When we are out of honey crisp apples and I serve my DH an apple he says "this is not a honey crisp." Best apple ever. We were on a cruise and stopped in the port of Seattle. There is a big market there and I saw some honey crisp apples. Well I bought one and there was no comparison to the ones grown in the Midwest. A few more weeks I can go to our local orchard to get my honey crisp. Jan
    • 11 Jun 2015  WA, United States
      Best apple ever !! High price--but when picked appropriately (time) ...Juicy, crispy, lights flesh//Sweetness yo...
    • 02 Apr 2015  OHIO, USA, United States
      About 20 years ago I got some Honeycrisps that were grown in Michigan by a Mennonite family. They were hands down the most extrordinary apples I have ever tasted--intensely sweet and tangy, spicy, complex flavor; crisp and juicy. They were huge, bigger than grapefruit and tasty all the way to the core. I could only get them for a few weeks each summer and I looked forward to it eagerly! What a disappointment when the commercially grown apples labeled Honeycrisp came to market. Are they even the same variety? At best, the commercially grown specimens hint at the sublime, zesty flavor of gorgeous apples from the lovingly tended Michigan orchard, but they miss the mark by a wide gap.
    • 28 Oct 2014  MINNESOTA, United States
      The Honeycrisp apple is wonderful, if it is grown in the right climate. As someone who lives in Minnesota, the Honeycrisp that you get from an orchard are great. However, picking them up in a grocery store, they sometimes come from Washington or some other moderate climate. Make sure you are getting the good ones from Minnesota, Michigan or upstate New York. The apples from other areas are ok, but don't pay the premium price to pick them up.
    • 20 Sep 2014  MN, United States
      We have our own honey crisp apple tree here in MN and it is our favorite "fresh eating" apple. However, we have tasted honey crisp from other parts of the U.S. and, as others have said, they are NOT that spectacular. The honey crisp was developed by the U of MN for cold climates. The tree needs a cold upper midwest winter to create a good-tasting apple.
    • 13 Sep 2014  PA, United States
      My wife and I blind taste tested the two dozen varieties offered by the local farmer's market and Honeycrisp came out number one two years in a row. Sweet, crunchy, and a hint of tartness, make this the best apple I've tried yet. We also dried all the apples and once again, Honeycrisp came out on top in blind taste testing. Sadly it's the most expensive at the market, but worth it.
    • 07 Sep 2014  BC, Canada
      I'm growing my own - now 4 years old on M9. I find this apple disappointingly flavourless, though crisp and juicy. Other trees I have and prefer include Cox's Orange Pippin. I wonder if the problem is the mild coastal climate - would Honey Crisp be better in colder areas?
    • 03 Aug 2014  FL, United States
      This is my favorite apple by far. I was raised in Upstate NY, which is apple country. Many orchards with fresh apples. If you try this apple, be sure it is fresh. The normal supermarket apples can not do this apple justice. They are great for applesauce, eating, juicing, or baking. They are crisp and firm. If you got some that weren't, then you got it from a poor orchard, or chain supermarket crop. They are sweet and tart and juicy. hands down the best apple out there.
    • 29 May 2014  United States
      I don`t understand the negative comments.This apple makes the others seem bland and insignificant but each to his own. I have a small orchard and 6 Honeycrispt trees and they grow and produce every year just fine. The trees have more and stronger limbs than others. They may not grow as fast in height but grow outwards making them nice and bushy looking. Nothing but good to say about the fruit itself.Tastes great and stores well. It`s a 10 in my book.
    • 15 May 2014  DE, United States
      good during a short season--they tend to be a bit watery. They are quite sweet but they don't seem to store well. Sometimes it's hit or miss for them depending on how watery they are. When they are good, they are GREAT.
    • 04 Mar 2014  IA, United States
      I think I need to try another one of these apples because I don't get the hype. The one I had literally tasted like sweetened perfume water. It was very crisp and juicy, but it wasn't very sweet, and not tart whatsoever. It was nothing like what I expected from an apple. It was more floral than fruity. Do they all taste like this?
    • 05 Dec 2013  United States
      I think these are one of the best fruits for anyone and I'm not even fond of apples. I do highly recommend others that haven't tried one to pick one up at a local store. This apple is in my top ten favorite fruits. Honeycrisp is DELICIOUS!!!! Try it for yourself!!
    • 19 Sep 2013  QUéBEC, Canada
      These are the best eating apples in the world! and they keep very well.
    • 06 Sep 2013  ONTARIO, Canada
      We are in southeast Ontario. My favourite apple is Honeycrisp, and we planted a tree in our backyard 5 years ago. It started bearing fruit immediately the following summer. Early crops were decimated by worms(?) - not sure what kind, but they literally ate almost the whole fruit. Not wanting to spray I started bagging the fruit at the size of a quarter with nylons. I now get about 2 dozen good fruit per year from our tree.
    • 29 Jun 2013  FL, United States
      We usually pay $3.99 a pound for these apples but once you eaten them there is no other apple. I can not stand a mushy apple and I never found a mushy applecrisp mushy either. This variety surpasses every other variety of apples.
    • 14 May 2013  CA, United States
      I planted my tree 2 years ago and I will be getting apples this year. I am very excited. It's the slowest grower of all my trees but seems hardy. I haven't had any issues so far and have never treated it. Hope the apples are going to be as good as the best ones I've had. I have eaten Honey Crisp apples many times and unfortunately they are usually sub-par from the grocery store. But when you get them farm fresh they are absolutely wonderful. They are a sweet (but not too sweet) crunchy apple. I like to eat mine sliced and very cold with Myer Lemon juice. Its like apple lemonade and very refreshing.
    • 07 May 2013  NW VA, United States
      Got my first and only apple off my 6 yr old Honeycrisp on M7 rootstock. Grown in our heavy clay loam, it was a spectacular specimen, 12oz. and bright red, very dense (unlike some of the store ones from WA, etc.). Still, not my favorite apple, but very good. Other "commercially" grown ones around here seem to get bitter pit and don't color well. Kind of a blotchy weak tree, but I think that's normal.
    • 28 Apr 2013  TEXAS, United States
      Love the taste. Can I put this tree in Austin, TX? If so, can a Gala be the fertility partner?
    • 01 Apr 2013  NEW MEXICO, United States
      I have allergy to this variety of apple.It happened twice.Started with itching in side the ears ,lips and mouth with difficulty swallowing.The allergy was relieved with Benadryl.I wonder what is causing it .I Just wanted to let you know for production improvement and research.I do not have allergy to any fruit.Iam a regular fruit eater.No allergy to any other variety of apple.
    • 03 Mar 2013  WA, United States
      Washington resident currently, but grew up in northern Wisconsin & Minnesota. As a reasonably informed apple enthusiast might suspect, this means I've been exposed to _a lot_ of apple varieties. I'm a bachelor and too lazy to bake or cook myself, so eating apples have always been my thing. There are many, many great ones to choose from, Pacific Rose, Pink Lady, Gala, I could go ad nausea, but if I'm at a market and the prices are even remotely comparable, I'm going home with Honey Crisp every time. I can't recall ever having a disappointing one.
    • 28 Jan 2013  MA, United States
      My new favorite apple. Great fragrance and sweet taste.
    • 17 Oct 2012  NY, United States
      Quickly became a favorite in my family - no one wants any other variety. Now we're the family with the best apples. High school and college kids who drop by devour them. Pricy but well worth it. Blends well when juiced with other fruits and vegetables.
    • 30 Sep 2012  MO, United States
      I am a devoted fan of the Honeycrisp apple. As an apple snob, I've since been ruined for all other varieties. While some will suffice, none bring the immense joy, exploding flavor and amazing sensory experience that the Honeycrisp delivers.
    • 17 Feb 2012  NEW YORK, United States
      Honey crisp is the best apple I have ever tasted in my life; it is so good that I even eat the core and only leave the seeds and the stem. It is so crispy that it takes a long time to eat, so by the time you are done you are full, and it is so juicy. It is perfect in every way; if it was a man, I would marry it.
    • 15 Feb 2012  GEORGIA, United States
      A very sweet and crisp apple. Also a very attractive gold color with a pinkish red blush.
    • 23 Jan 2012  United States
      This apple may have the best texture of any apple Ive come across, the flavor is not bad either. I will most certainly be planting some of these come spring.
    • 12 Jan 2012  ILLINOIS, United States
      This apple will convert anyone pomologically "on-the-fence"--growing up on a farm, I was never one to rave about apples--until now! One bite and I can say that I love, love, love you, HoneyCrisp!
    • 04 Jan 2012  CO, United States
      I have never been a big apple fan, because they all seem too tart to me, then I tasted a HoneyCrisp and now I am a big fan of this apple Yum-O. It is sweet, juicy and crisp the way an apple should be, just sorry they aren't in the stores longer.
    • 31 Oct 2011  IN, United States
      I haven't had an apple this good in a long long time. I'm struggling with being a diabetic and if I finish my meals with a Honey Crisp (and my friendly salt shaker) it takes care of my sweet tooth. Instead of snarfing down cake, candy or a cookie, I'm munching on an apple. Eating a Honey Crisp takes a while, by the time I'm done with the apple I realize I am full and don't have to eat more. I love them and they are so good for my diabetis!
    • 23 Oct 2011  ILLINOIS, United States
      I am a displaced native Oregonian. The apples from Oregon and Washington have always been my favorite. Growing up with Gravensteins, and later Granny Smiths as my favorites, That was until I tasted my first Honeycrisp. Without a doubt the BEST apple I have ever tasted. It is my VERY FAVORITE!!! Every person I have introduced to the Honeycrisp apple feels the same way. Thank You Minnesota for putting the fun and excitement back in eating apples again!!!
    • 19 Oct 2011  FL, United States
      Hands down the best apple I've tasted. Crisp, firm, sweet with the lightest tang. I'm lucky they're not available throughout the year; I'd never eat a proper meal again.
    • 23 Sep 2011  WISCONSIN, United States
      Honeycrisp grown here in Wisconsin are a wonderful taste treat. If you like tart apples or balanced sweet/tart you may find them too sweet for your tastebuds. I like sweet apples and this is one of the best. Skip the grocer section and get these from a local orchard or farmer's market. They do have issues with calcium deficiency related problems - good to know if you plan to grow them in your yard. For fans of sweet apples, if you like Honeycrisp why not seek out a Sweet Sixteen apple as they are even a touch sweeter with unique aromatics.
    • 21 Sep 2011  United States
      Honey Crisp apples are hands down the best if you can get them fresh. Pink Ladies generally fare better in the grocery store, but here in the SE U.S. you can get them in season and they are amazing.
    • 27 Mar 2011  WISCONSIN, United States
      Honeycrisp flavor depends largely on soil and weather conditions. Washington grown Honeycrsip apples I've sampled have been blandly sweet and moderately crunchy while every Minnesota and Wisconsin apple I've had has been complex and distinctively crisp. The HC does tend towards calcium deficiency so foliar calcium may be needed for best results
    • 14 Oct 2010  NEW JERSEY, United States
      Our Ramsey, NJ fruit store (Steve's) get's my applause for bringing both Pink Lady and Honeycrisp apples to this North NJ area. Like many that have given up smoking, need better digestive health or just a pick me up during a late evening drive, Honey Crisp Apples are my top vote getter for their sweet, crisp and juicy taste. There are 100+ good reasons for putting any apple into one's grocery basket. 5 co-workers and I had quit smoking more than 5 years ago and shared the common 3 o'clock yearning to sneak a smoke. Lucky for all of us, my wife Ann had brought home some Pink Lady's from Steve's Grocery Store. I took a few to work, chilled and sliced them and then asked my smoker associates to join me at 2:30-3:00 for Sliced Apples and Tea/Coffee. It was fun and became a challenge for associates to bring other varieties and score them versus our top 3. Two years ago, I sampled Honey Crisp Apples and feel they are the best for my taste buds. Four out of Six of us, have made it through 5+ years, without going back to smoking. Apples certainly provide a wonderful sensory diversion during temptations to fall off the wagon.
    • 14 Oct 2009  IRELAND, Ireland
      I just tried my first HoneyCrunch apple from Lidl the other day and I enjoyed them a lot. That's quite a big deal for an apple snob like me. Not my absolute favorite but definitely in my top 10.
    • 30 Sep 2009  CALIFORNIA, United States
      Believe it or not Honeycrisp is outstanding when grown in the heat of Southern California. September was stinking hot- well over 100 degrees most of the month which fried the Queen Cox tree next to the Honeycrisp, but the Honeycrisp apples came through without a mark and are crisp, sweet, juicy, wonderful. It definately has lack of vigor in our climate and so a robust rootstock is recommended.
    • 16 Feb 2009  IOWA, United States
      Very juicy, almost no acid, mild flavor at best, and less dense than most dessert apples, hence a yielding crispness, not a crackling crispness. Lacking tartness, it is too sweet for me.
    • 12 Dec 2008  MARYLAND, United States
      I LOVE HONEYCRISP APPLES!!! I have no idea why this article says the flavor isn't outstanding because these apples are just that. They have the perfect combination of sweetness and tart and I love how crispy they are as i despise a sandy, too sweet, no tart apple.
    • 01 Dec 2008  LANGLEY, B.C., Canada
      Fantastic apple in season. Honeycrisp is full of fruit flavours. although it doesn't have all the 'honey' tones Golden Delicious sometimes has, it is more complex in flavour and more fully floral-fruity. Also more crisp!. Nice tart sweet balance. I must have gotten mine at the right of the year. It's now my favourite apple.
    • 15 Nov 2008  LINCOLN, RI USA, United States
      Since I first came upon the apple 2 years ago, I always fell back on the earlier types. Since then, NOTHING CAN COMPARE. I usually buy apples at a farm stand, but since these are not available there, I buy them at a supermarket. Something I would never think of doing. I eat apples with a knife because I think you can better judge all the aspects of it. A crispness and crunch that cannot be compared with a flavor that's delightful. Sadly, only available for a short time in this area. Does anyone have any experience with cooking this apple??
    • 05 Nov 2008  FAIRPORT, NY, United States
      Another great tasting apple. I like the sweeter varieties.
    • 10 Oct 2008  HIBB., ST. LOUIS, MN. 55746, United States
      3 yrs ago I purchased 2 Honey Crisp trees from Northern Landscaping of Hibb., Mn. I have finally gotten 10 apples on one of the trees...no blossoms yet on the other tree. The one that has finally gotten some apples has produced large-sized red apples but the exterior of the skin has some dimples and when I cut one open a day ago, it had some brown streaks in it and some thin brown tunneled streaks. In cutting a second apple I encountered the same. Is this a desease or parasite, etc. that has attacked the apple? Is there a way to prevent this from happening again? Being that these were the first apples produced by this 6 foot tree, it has been mentioned that maybe the first growth should be eliminated. Please advise. Thank you.
    • 27 Mar 2008  FORT WAYNE, IN, United States
      I have three favorite apples - Haralson, Honeycrisp, and Jazz. I like my apples crisp. I am originally from MN where both the Haralson (very tart) and Honeycrisp were developed. As with the Jazz, all are very good eating apples. Honeycrisp are very seasonal though and are best early in the apple season (early to mid fall). After mid-fall, their shelf life declines and subsequently their crispness. They are typically more expensive in grocery stores but can now be found early in the season at apple farms. The smaller ones are as good as the larger ones.
    • 02 Mar 2008  Canada
      Very sweet apple when heavily blushed. Crisp all season from Sept through Dec and enough juice to warrent wearing a bib. Good grower in West Coast Canada.
    • 06 Feb 2008  KILLEEN, TX, United States
      Love this apple. This is the first year I've ever even seen it and tried it on a whim. It quickly became an obsession. They are not around in this area any longer (February) but I sure hope they come back next year!

    Tree register

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    • Ken in Porlezza, ITALIA

    Portugal

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    Spring blossom records for this variety

    2022 season

    • 30th May  2022  - tree owned by David in Two Rivers, United States
    • 24th April  2022  - tree owned by Busch83 in Port Republic, United States

    2021 season

    • 23rd May  2021  - tree owned by David in Two Rivers, United States

    2020 season

    • 29th May  2020  - tree owned by David in Two Rivers, United States

    2019 season

    • 12th June  2019  - tree owned by Steven in Skandia, United States
    • 12th June  2019  - tree owned by Steven in Skandia, United States
    • 12th June  2019  - tree owned by Steven in Skandia, United States
    • 12th June  2019  - tree owned by Steven in Skandia, United States
    • 12th June  2019  - tree owned by Steven in Skandia, United States
    • 12th June  2019  - tree owned by Steven in Skandia, United States
    • 11th June  2019  - tree owned by Steven in Skandia, United States
    • 3rd June  2019  - tree owned by David in Two Rivers, United States
    • 25th May  2019  - tree owned by Wynne in River Falls, United States

    2018 season

    • 27th May  2018  - tree owned by David in Two Rivers, United States
    • 19th May  2018  - tree owned by Kurt in Ladysmith, United States
    • May  2018  - tree owned by Monika in Denver, United States

    2017 season

    • 28th May  2017  - tree owned by David in Two Rivers, United States
    • 18th May  2017  - tree owned by Kurt in Ladysmith, United States
    • 13th May  2017  - tree owned by Jolene in Maple Ridge, Canada

    2016 season

    • 27th May  2016  - tree owned by David in Two Rivers, United States
    • April  2016  - tree owned by Daniel in Sabetha, United States

    2015 season

    • 31st May  2015  - tree owned by David in Two Rivers, United States
    • 30th March  2015  - tree owned by Karen in Salado, United States

    2014 season

    • 27th May  2014  - tree owned by Torebuch in Keene, Canada
    • 16th May  2014  - tree owned by Brenda in Marion, United States
    • 10th May  2014  - tree owned by Don in Twisp, United States
    • May  2014  - tree owned by JSchreiber in West Concord, United States

    2013 season

    • 5th June  2013  - tree owned by Kathy in Carrington, United States
    • 15th May  2013  - tree owned by Mike in Westfield, United States
    • 14th May  2013  - tree owned by Jeff in Elko, United States
    • 4th May  2013  - tree owned by Mark in West Senea, United States
    • 1st May  2013  - tree owned by Cody in Rochester, United States
    • May  2013  - tree owned by Keith in Rye, United States
    • May  2013  - tree owned by Don in Twisp, United States
    • May  2013  - tree owned by Cheri in Plover, United States
    • 30th April  2013  - tree owned by Florian in Brush Prairie, United States

    2012 season

    • 9th June  2012  - tree owned by Robert in Oak Harbor, United States
    • 9th May  2012  - tree owned by James in Estacada, United States
    • 7th May  2012  - tree owned by Florian in Brush Prairie, United States
    • 2nd May  2012  - tree owned by Steve in Ferndale, United States
    • May  2012  - tree owned by Cheri in Plover, United States
    • 27th April  2012  - tree owned by David in Mesa, United States
    • 20th April  2012  - tree owned by Chuck in Worthington, United States

    2010 season

    • 20th April  2010  - tree owned by Bren in New Virginia, United States

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


    Harvest records for this variety

    2022 season

    • 2nd week October  2022  - tree owned by David in Two Rivers, United States

    2021 season

    • 4th week September  2021  - tree owned by David in Two Rivers, United States

    2020 season

    • 1st week October  2020  - tree owned by David in Two Rivers, United States

    2019 season

    • 1st week October  2019  - tree owned by David in Two Rivers, United States
    • 3rd week September  2019  - tree owned by GARY in Rigby, United States
    • 3rd week September  2019  - tree owned by Jon in Shaw Island, United States
    • 2nd week September  2019  - tree owned by Dallin in Syracuse, United States

    2018 season

    • 3rd week September  2018  - tree owned by Beth in POCATELLO, United States
    • 3rd week September  2018  - tree owned by Jon in Shaw Island, United States

    2017 season

    • 1st week October  2017  - tree owned by Greshik in Jamestown, United States
    • 1st week October  2017  - tree owned by Jon in Shaw Island, United States
    • 1st week October  2017  - tree owned by David in Two Rivers, United States
    • 4th week September  2017  - tree owned by Kurt in Ladysmith, United States
    • 3rd week September  2017  - tree owned by Susan in , United States

    2016 season

    • 1st week October  2016  - tree owned by David in Two Rivers, United States
    • 4th week September  2016  - tree owned by Greshik in Jamestown, United States
    • 3rd week September  2016  - tree owned by Jon in Shaw Island, United States
    • 2nd week September  2016  - tree owned by JSchreiber in West Concord, United States

    2015 season

    • 1st week October  2015  - tree owned by Jon in Shaw Island, United States
    • 1st week October  2015  - tree owned by David in Two Rivers, United States
    • 4th week September  2015  - tree owned by Greshik in Jamestown, United States
    • 3rd week September  2015  - tree owned by JSchreiber in West Concord, United States

    2014 season

    • 4th week September  2014  - tree owned by Jon in Shaw Island, United States
    • 4th week September  2014  - tree owned by Don in Twisp, United States
    • 4th week September  2014  - tree owned by JSchreiber in West Concord, United States
    • 4th week August  2014  - tree owned by Brenda in Marion, United States

    2013 season

    • 2nd week October  2013  - tree owned by Cheri in Plover, United States
    • 2nd week October  2013  - tree owned by Don in Twisp, United States
    • 1st week October  2013  - tree owned by Kathy in Carrington, United States
    • 3rd week September  2013  - tree owned by Jon in Shaw Island, United States
    • 3rd week September  2013  - tree owned by Cody in Rochester, United States
    • 2nd week August  2013  - tree owned by Bill in Sacramento, United States

    2012 season

    • 2nd week October  2012  - tree owned by James in Estacada, United States
    • 1st week October  2012  - tree owned by Steve in Ferndale, United States
    • September  2012  - tree owned by Phil in Winneconne, United States
    • 2nd week August  2012  - tree owned by Lloyd in Beaverton, United States

    2010 season

    • 3rd week September  2010  - tree owned by Joey in Cabins, United States

    2009 season

    • 1st week October  2009  - tree owned by Glenda in Gold Hill, United States
    • 3rd week September  2009  - tree owned by Joey in Cabins, United States

    Origins

    • Species: Malus domestica
    • Parentage: Keepsake x MN1627
    • Introduced: 1960s
    • Developed by: University of Minnesota

    Using

    • Picking season: Late
    • Cropping: Good
    • Keeping (of fruit): 3 months or more
    • Flavor style (apples): Sweeter
    • Food uses: Eating fresh
    • Discoloration of fruit: Oxidising

    Growing

    • Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
    • Flowering group: 4
    • Ploidy: Diploid
    • Bearing regularity: Regular
    • Organic culture: Suitable

    Climate

    • Cold hardiness (USDA): (3) -40F / -40C
    • Cold hardiness (USDA): (4) -30F / -34C
    • Cold hardiness (USDA): (5) -20F / -29C
    • Cold hardiness (USDA): (6) -10F / -23C
    • Cold hardiness (USDA): (7) 0F / -18C
    • Cold hardiness (USDA): (8) 10F / -12C
    • Cold hardiness (USDA): (9) 20F / -7C
    • Cold hardiness (USDA): (10) 30F / -1C
    • Summer average maximum temperatures: Cold (< 20C / 67F)
    • Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
    • Summer average maximum temperatures: Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)
    • Summer average maximum temperatures: Hot (>30C / 86F)

    Identification

    • Country of origin: United States
    • Period of origin: 1950 - 1999
    • Flower colour: White
    • Leaf colour: Green
    • Fruit colour: Orange / Red

    Where to buy trees

    The following tree nurseries offer Honeycrisp apple trees for sale:


    Where to buy fresh fruit

    The following orchards grow Honeycrisp:

    United States


    Canada




    References

    • Cedar-Apple Rust  
      Author: Stephen Vann, University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture (FSA7538)
      Rated as susceptible - control usually needed where CAR is prevalent.
    • Apples for the 21st Century
      Author: Manhart

    Varieties you viewed


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