All University of Minnesota Apple Varieties

Since the apple breeding program began at the University of Minnesota in 1878, 28 apple varieties have been released. Some University-developed varieties are no longer available, so we have listed all the current U of M varieties, many of which you can purchase from local nurseries and orchards.

Early Season Apples

Beacon

• Bright red apple with soft, juicy flesh and a slightly tart flavor
• The tree is hardy, vigorous and susceptible to fire blight
• Introduced in 1936
• Ripens mid- to late August

Centennial Crabapple

• Large, red over orange crabapple that is excellent for fresh eating and sauce, but does not store well
• The tree is very hardy, even in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 3
• Introduced in 1957
• Ripens mid- to late August

Rave® and First Kiss®

• Extraordinarily juicy, this spritely tart and deeply colored apple ripens early but will store for up to five months post-harvest
• The First Kiss® name identifies Minnesota grown fruit
• Hardy to Zone 4A
• Introduced in 2017
• Ripens mid- to late August

State Fair

• Striped red, juicy, moderately tart fruit good for eating and cooking
• The fruit will store for 2 to 4 to weeks
• The tree is susceptible to fire blight and somewhat prone to biennial bearing
• Introduced in 1977
• Ripens mid- to late August

SweeTango®

• Juice and sweet with hints of fall spices, and deep red coloration over a yellow breaking background
• This apple's flavor, balanced by vibrant acidity, inherited the crisp texture of 'Honeycrisp' and the juiciness of 'Zestar!®'
• Introduced in 2008
• Ripens early September

Zestar!®

• Large, crunchy, juicy red fruit with a sprightly sweet-tart flavor
• Excellent for both fresh eating and cooking. The fruit will store for 6 to 8 weeks
• The tree is vigorous, upright and very susceptible to apple scab
• Introduced in 1999
• Ripens late August to early September

Mid-Season Apples

Chestnut Crabapple

• Large, russeted crabapple with a rich, nutty flavor
• Best for fresh eating or sauce
• The fruit stores for 4 to 5 weeks
• Introduced in 1949
• Ripens early September

Red Baron

• Medium-size red and yellow apple with juicy flesh and a mild sweet flavor
• Good for fresh eating with a storage life of 4 to 5 weeks
• The tree is hardy and resistant to fire blight
• Introduced in 1970
• Ripens mid-September

Sweet Sixteen

• Crisp and juicy with an exotic yellow flesh and a very sweet, unusual sugar cane or spicy cherry candy flavor
• The fruit stores for 5 to 8 weeks
• The tree is very vigorous and fruit may be subject to premature drops
• Introduced in 1977
• Ripens mid- to late September

Triumph®

Limited Tree Availability, Fruit Expected in 2025

• Medium sized red fruit with a well-balanced flavor that is pleasantly tart
• The tree has medium vigor, good fruit adherence and excellent scab resistance and good shelf life
• A great option for direct market and organic producers
• Ripens late September

Honeycrisp

• Large, dappled red fruit with a well-balanced flavor, outstanding crispness, and juiciness
• Best for fresh eating and salads as the flesh is slow to brown
• The tree has low to medium vigor and excellent scab resistance
• Fruit will easily store 7 or more months, a benefit for small commercial growers
• Ripens late September

Late Season Apples

Honeygold

• Golden to yellow-green fruit that is sweet, crisp, and juicy
• Excellent for fresh eating and also good for cooking
• The fruit will store for 2 to 3 months
• The tree is easy to manage but susceptible to fire blight
• Introduced in 1970
• Ripens late September

Haralson

• Firm texture with a complex tart flavor
• Good for fresh eating and cooking, especially good pie apple
• The fruit will store for 4 to 5 months
• The tree is of low vigor and easily trained
• Tends to be biennial bearing
• Fruit may be prone to watercore and russeting
• Introduced in 1922
• Ripens late September to early October

Frostbite™

• Intensely sweet, firm and juicy flesh
• Stripped maroon-red and gold-yellow, 2 1/2" diameter fruit
• Fruit may be prone to russeting
• Excellent for cider
• Introduced in 2008
• Ripens late September to mid-October

Regent

• Appealing red-striped apple with a well-balanced flavor that is good for eating and cooking
• The fruit will store for 4 to 5 months
• Tree is moderately vigorous and easily trained
• Susceptible to apple scab and of moderate hardiness
• Introduced in 1964
• Ripens early to mid-October

SnowSweet®

• Savory, sweet tasting apple, with a slight tart balance and rich overtones
• Amazingly slow to turn brown when cut
• Appealing, large, bronze-red blush fruit
• Excellent for fresh eating, snack trays, and salads
• Introduced in 2006
• Ripens mid-October

Fireside/Connell Red

• Very large fruit with a sweet flavor and fine-grained flesh good for fresh eating, salad, and baked apples
• The tree is vigorous and weeping
• Introduced in 1943
• Ripens mid-October

Keepsake

• Very hard and crisp with yellow flesh and an exotic sweet, spicy flavor
• Good for fresh eating and cooking
• The fruit will store for 6 months
• The tree is of medium vigor and easy to manage
• Introduced in 1978
• Ripens mid-October

Prairie Spy

• Large, firm, dense fruit that is excellent for baking and long-term storage
• The tree is very vigorous and productive
• Introduced in 1940
• Ripens late October