Apple varieties - which apple to pick and why; sorted by typical ripeneing date! (2024)

Are you trying to choose the right variety of apple for your needs? There are many to choose from. There are heirloom varieties that have been around for hundreds of years and apple growers are constantly creating new varieties to meet consumer tastes and 2024 is no exception.Scroll down this page for a table of dozens of apple varieties includingphotos and their characteristics and best uses.This page has tips about harvesting andstoring apples. And if you bring home some apples and want to makeapplesauce,apple butter,apple juice, apple pie,apple cobbler,apple crisp, evenapple cider, just click the links for each to follow directions and recipes or see this page see thispage for a master list of simple, reliable, illustrated canning, freezing or preservingdirections. There are plenty of other related resources, such as thislist of local regional and applefestivals - click on the resources dropdown above.

If you have questions or feedback, please let me know!

What's in season in June 2024, andother timely information:

Notes for June 2024: Spring is here! Strawberry seasonis here. It started in February in Florida, Texas, southern California and a few other areas of theDeep South; then March along the Gulf coast, April in the Deep South and westcoast, May through much of the country, and June in northern areas. Blueberries arenext, about a month later. Of course, cool weather crops, like Rhubarb,asparagus and greens should be available almost everywhere. Check your area'scrop calendar (see this page) and call your local farms forseasonal updates.

Are carpenter bees boring holes into your house, shed or barn? There is a simplenon-toxic solution!

You may also be interested in finding a local:

Children's Consignment Salehappening now; save money on children's clothes, toys, books, etc, find a localchildren's consignment sale, also often held by churches in theSpring and Fall, click here!
Fun factory tours - usually free, fun and educational, find them in every statehere!
Road trip or a Camping trip - Find free and low-cost, but fun, interesting places to visitand things to do and see!

We also havehome canning, preserving, drying and freezing directions. You can accessrecipes and other resources from the drop down menus at the top of the page or the site search.If you have any questions or suggestions,feel free to write me! It is easy tomake your own ice cream,even gelato, or low fat or low sugar ice cream - see this page.

NEW! Start your own tomato, pepper, squash and other vegetable plants from seed - It's easy andcosts about 50 cents per plant.
Also see our Master list of tomato varieties,with descriptions, details and links to ordering the seedss.

Also note,there are many copycat website listing U-pick farms now. They have allcopied their information from here and usually do not ever update. Since2002, I've been updating the information every day but Christmas; so if you seeanything wrong or outdated, pleasewrite me!

Apple Varieties Guide by Harvest Date - Which Apple to Pick and Why!

2024 looks to have apples ripening on their normal schedule. There have been few late frosts in the main apple growing regions, rain and temperatures have been good, sothe year is shaping up well for a good apple crop. It's too early for prices, but I expect mostareas to see $14 to $30 a bushel, depending on variety! Scrolldown the page to see the chart, orclick here for a PDF print version.And for an explanation ofwhy apple slices turnbrown and how to stop it, see this page! To seehow to properly store apples for the winter, see this page!

Varieties which are exceptional for a trait are noted in the chart below(Best, very good, etc.). Varieties which are at least good and well-suitedhave an "X" in a column. A blank box simply means that they areaverage for the quality. Ultimately, it is personal preference and culturaltraditions. that often determines which varieties of apples are used forwhich purpose. That said, sweeter and softer apples make the best applesauce(like Gala), harder, drier apples are often used for baking and storing(like Rome and Arkansas Black), and tarter, more crisp and juicier applesare often eaten fresh (like Honeycrisp). Finally, if you have an apple tree and want to know what variety itis, see this page.

Apple Varieties Guide by Harvest Date - Which Apple to Pick andWhy!

If you would like toprint a clean PDF version of thistable, click here.

(Sorted by typical ripening date -see thispage for sorted alphabetically on variety name)

Name	Ripening Date Dates are approximateand vary CONSIDERABLY with weather, location and more!	Eating fresh	Cooking	Apple Sauce	Apple Pie	Apple Juice	AppleButter	Storage
Bevan's Favorite	early July		X
Pristine	early July	X	X					Must Refrigerate Very sweet, juicy, does not store well, bruiseseasily (like Gala)
William's Pride	early July	X	X
Lodi (aka, Yellow Transparent)	early July, even June some years	X		GOOD				Must Refrigerate
Zestar	mid-July to mid-August	X	X	X	X	X	X	ShouldRefrigerate
Gala	late July toearly September	Very good	X	BEST	X	X	X	Must refrigerate; even then only keeps for a few weeks. But they are VERY sweet and flavorful, so if you are going to use it right away or makeapplesauce, it is excellent.
Ginger Gold	early August toearly September	Very good	X	Very good	X		X
Redfree	Late July	X	X
MolliesDelicious	August		X					Must Refrigerate
Gravenstein	August	X	X	Very good	X	X	X	ShouldRefrigerate
Ozark Gold	Early August		X
GrimesGolden	August	X	X				X
Jersey Mac	August	X	X					OK
Earligold	August	X	X	X	X			Must Refrigerate
Detroit Red	early , August into September	X	X					Heirloom brought from France by settlers in the Detroit area, but then later planted by Thomas Jefferson, using grafted trees of DetroitRed in the nursery at Monticello in 1805.
Akane	August		X
Summer banana	August	X	X
PaulaRed	mid August toearly September	X	X	X	X		X
SweeTango	mid August toearly September	X		X	X		X
Empire	mid-August through September	X	X	X	X			A McIntosh type apple with a long shelf life. Aromatic and crisp with creamy white juicy flesh, sweet and tart
McIntosh	September	X		good		X	X
Honeycrisp	September	Very good	X	good, but watery	X	BEST	X
Virginia Gold	September	X	X
Jonathan	mid to lateSeptember	X	X	Very good	X	X	X
GoldenDelicious	mid to lateSeptember	X	X	Very good	X	X	X	Should Refrigerate
Ultra Gold	mid to lateSeptember	X	X	X	X	X	X
Cortland	mid to lateSeptember	X		X	X	X	X
Jonalicious	mid to lateSeptember	X	X	Very good	X	X	X	Must Refrigerate
Jonamac	mid to lateSeptember	X		Very good		X
Ambrosia	mid to lateSeptember	X	X	good	X	X	X	Should Refrigerate
RedDelicious	mid to lateSeptember	X		good			X	Red Delicious is one of the older apple varieties, discovered as a natural variant in Peru, Iowa in 1880. It does not generally store well.Unfortunately, it has been modified and bred to the point that most people find it rather tasteless. There are at least 30 variants of Red Deliciousnow and you never know which one you are getting. Yellow Delicious is better, as as JonaGold, Cameo and most other apples.
Envy	September	X	X	Verygood	X	X	X	Envy apples are closely-related to Jazz, both are crosses between Gala and Braeburn, a trademarked variety of the Scilate apple. This is anew variety known for their crisp texture, sweetness, and balanced flavor. They are slightly larger than most apples, with a round shape,red skin and creamy yellow flesh. In 2024, they are grown in Washington state, New Zealand, and Chile.
Jonagold	mid to lateSeptember	X		Very good		X		Really good all-around apple.
Snowsweet	Late September, 2 weeks after HoneyCrisp	X		X	X	X	X	Good
Jubilee	mid Septemberto early October	X	X	X	X
Mutsu, also called Crispin	Late September toearly October	X	X	Very good	X		X	It's a good, sweet apple, like a Yellow Delicious, but stores better.
Keepsake	Late September toearly October	X	X		X
NorthernSpy	Late September toearly October	X	X					Very good forstoring
Shizuka	Late September toearly October	X	X	X	X	X	X
Wild Crisp	October	Very good	X	good, but watery	X	BEST	X	Cross between Honeycrisp and Cripps Pink (AKA Pink Lady)Juicy, sweet, crisp, great for fresh eating or all-purpose, applesauce or in afruit salad
Braeburn	early toMid October	X	X	X	X
Cameo	early toMid October	Very good	X	Very good	X		X
Rome	early toMid October		X		X
Sundance	early toMid October	X	X			X	X
BlushingGolden	early toMid October	X	X		X	X	X
Stayman	late September	Very good	X	Very good			X
Enterprise	early toMid October	X	X
Jazz	early toMid October	X	X	Very good	X	X	X
Melrose	early toMid October	X	X	Very good	X	X	X
StaymanWinesap	mid to late October	Very good	X	Very good		X
GrannySmith	mid to late October	X	X			X
Macoun	mid to late October	X	X
Liberty	mid to late October	X	X
PinkLady	mid to lateOctober	X	X	good	X	X	X
Suncrisp	mid to lateOctober	X	X		X	X	X
Evercrisp	midOctober until frost (November)	Very good	X	Very Good	X	BEST	X	Excellent storage due to it's parents (Fuji andHoneycrisp)
Yates	mid to late October	X	X		X	X		Stores very well
AutumnCrisp	mid to late October	X	X		X	X
Fuji	mid to late October	Very good	X	BEST	X		X	Great keeper;stores well in garage or basem*nt
Black Twig	mid to late October	X	X	X	X	X	X
ArkansasBlack	mid to late October		Baking	too hard				Great keeper

Of course, each region of the country and each seasonvaries. Variations in rainfall and temperature greatly affect the usual ripeningdate. So call ahead!

Click here for detailed descriptions of each apple variety with detailed characteristics

Click here for a PDF print version of the following list. Andfor the followinglist on a page by itself, click here.

English Apple Varieties

These links take you to photos on GardenAction.co.uk

Bramley - The English gush over this apple with a fever(fevour?:) that borders on mania. It's basically a granny smith type, ahigher acid content and lower sugar apple, with a stronger, more tangytaste. Bramley's are considered to be an ideal cooking apple.
Charles Ross
Crispin
Early Victoria
Early Worcester
Ellisons Orange
Epicure
Gibsons Scarlet
Golden Spire
Greensleaves
Howgate Wonder
Ingrid Marie
James Grieve
Jonagored
Jupiter
Katy
Orleans Reinette
Peasgood Nonsuch
Red Gravenstein
Red Victoria
Rev W. Wilks
Ribston Pippin
Rosemary Russett
Spartan
Sturmer Pippin
Sunset
Superb
Tydermans Late Orange
Warners King
Winston

More about apple varieties can be found:

University of Illinois Apple page

More Apple Varieties

Apple photos and brief descriptions

The All New Ball Book Of Canning And Preserving: Over 350 of the Best Canned, Jammed, Pickled, and Preserved Recipes Paperback

This is THE book on canning! My grandmother used this book when Iwas a child.; It tells you in simple instructions how to can almostanything; complete with recipes for jam, jellies, pickles, sauces, canningvegetables, meats, etc.

If it can be canned, this book likely tellsyou how! Click on the link below for more information and / or to buy (noobligation to buy)The New Ball Blue Book of Canning and Preserving

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This is another popular canning book.Clickhere for more information, reviews, prices for Canning and Preserving For Dummies

Of course, you do not need to buy ANY canning book as I have about 500 canning, freezing, dehydrating and more recipes all online for free, just seeEasy Home Canning Directions.

Home Canning Kits

I have several canners, and my favorite is the stainless steel one at right. It is easy to clean and seems like it will last forever. Mine is 10 yearsold and looks like new.

Pressure Canners

If you plan on canning non-acidic foods and low acid foods that are not pickled - this means: meats, seafood, soups, green beans corn, most vegetables, etc., then you ABSOLUTELY must use a Pressure Canner.

Of course, you can use a pressure canner as a water bath canner as well - just don't seal it up, so it does not pressurize. This means a Pressure Canner is a 2-in-1 device. With it, you can can almost ANYTHING.

There are also other supplies, accessories, tools and more canners, of different styles, makes and prices, click here!

Basic Canning Accessories

From left to right:

Jar lifting tongsto pick up hot jars
Lid lifter - to remove lids from the potof boiling water (sterilizing )
Lids- disposable - you may onlyuse them once
Ring- holds the lids on the jar until after the jars cool - then you remove them, save them and reuse them
Canning Jar funnel - to fill the jars

Strainers

These are very useful for making sauces like applesauce, tomato sauce, spaghetti sauce, jellies, etc. Below are my favorites. The complete list is on thesepages:

Strainers, pit removers, seed-skin-stem removers, jelly strainers, etc.All types, makes and prices (from $19 to $350)
Selecting aKitchenAid mixer and attachments for home canning

Inexpensive Old School Strainers: hand cranked Foley Food Mills

The hand-cranked Foley food mill (seethis page or clock the ad box) has been used for well over100 years in homes all over America (and variants around the world). It is effective and inexpensive, and ideal for small batches. However, if youneed to make many quarts, you will sure end up with tunnel carpel syndrome or some other repetitive strain injury.

Norpro 1951 Manual Food Strainer and other brand stariners, with optional motors; (almost identical to Victorio V250, Villaware and Roma models, all discontinued)

This is The next step up from the Foley food mill. First, it's far more ergonomic, and its handle is easier to use. Next, it works in continuous moderather than batch mode. So you can do much larger volumes easily. Finally, It has an optional motor, so you can. remove the manual labor. It alsooffers many different size strainers to use for different types of berries, vegetables and fruit.

See the seller's website for more information, features, pricing and user reviews!

A Johnny, Weston or Oxo strainer (about $60 - $100, see further down the page)or
This trainer is. simply a more upscale and improved version of the one above.
See this page for more information, reviews, descriptions of other strainers and supplies or to order!

Find this item (B09WDKLMPW) on Amazon

KitchenAid - Best Large Volume Strainers

If you're going to do large volumes of fruit or vegetables , or do it year after year, then. you really should think about getting a higher end kitchen.utility device. Kitchen aids are the cream of the crop. Once you buy one of these, you keep at the rest of your life and it gets handed down to the nextgeneration. . My sister is using one she inherited from my mother 25 years ago, who got it in the 1940s as a wedding gift. So, although the initial cost ishigh, they literally last for many lifetime. So the cost on an annual basis is pretty trivial, especially when you consider the cost of therapy andtreatment for. the repetitive strain injuries you will get from manual cranking day after day. Add to that of course the cost of therapy for the emotionalinjuries you'll get from going insane, standing there hand cranking something for hours.

KitchenAid's with a sieve/grinder (with the attachments, costs about $400,but it lasts a lifetime and is fast and easy to use - I can make 100 quartjars of applesauce per day with one of these).

FREE Illustrated Canning, Freezing, Jam Instructions and Recipes

Don't spend money on books. that you don't need to. Almost everything you can find in some book sold online or in a store is on my website here for free. Start with theEasy Home Canning Directions below. That is a master list of canning directions which are all based upon the Ball Bblue book, the National Center for Home Food Preservation and other reputable lab tested recipes. Almost every recipe I present in addition to being lab tested com. is in a step by step format with photos for each step and complete. explanations. that tell you how to do it, where to get the supplies and pretty much everything you need to know. In addition, there almost always in a PDF format so you can print them out and use them while you cook.

[ Easy Home Canning Directions]

[FAQs - Answers to common questions and problems]

[Recommended books about home canning, jam making, drying and preserving!]

[Free canning publications to download and print]