When I was growing up, I thought apples were either red or green and sweet or tart. But after sampling dozens of varieties from local orchards, I realized these fruits had nuances similar to those found in wine and honey. There were notes of ginger, hints of plum, and traces of black peppercorns.
With so many apple varieties available, deciding which ones to grow and eat can be difficult. That’s why returning to the basic characteristics is helpful. If you’re looking for sugary sweet apples, start with some of the varieties on this list.
‘Fuji’
One of the most successful and sweetest apple varieties to emerge from Japan, ‘Fuji’ was created after apple breeders crossed the famous ‘Red Delicious’ with the lesser-known ‘Virginia Ralls Genet.’ This variety gets its name from the town near where it was created, Fujisaka.
‘Fuji’ fruits are known for their super sweet and crispy flesh. They contain 15-18% sugar, making them one of the sweetest apple varieties on the market. They also have an impressive shelf life; when kept at the proper temperature, the fruits can last up to nine months! Since ‘Fuji’ apples are late to ripen, which means you can enjoy stored fruits throughout the winter and into the spring.
If you want to grow ‘Fuji’ apples at home, be aware they require a different apple variety for successful pollination and fruit set. They only require 350-400 chill hours, which means they’re suitable for areas like the Bay Area, central Texas, and southern Georgia and Mississippi.
‘Gala’
Commonly found in grocery stores, this variety originated in New Zealand. It’s grown in popularity since its introduction in the 1960s and is currently the most-grown apple in the United States! People love the medium-size, sweet flesh, and mottled appearance.
The trees are self-fertile, so you can plant one tree at home and enjoy a healthy harvest of fruits. They will produce more when crossed with a Fuji or similar apple, though. ‘Gala’ requires at least 500 chill hours, so you can grow it in warm areas. However, it’s not the best option for areas that rarely dip below 45°F (7°C).
These are mid-season producers, so you can expect to harvest fruits in August or September. They keep well for a few months but begin to rot or turn mealy after this period.
‘Honeycrisp’
One of the sweetest apple varieties favorited of kids and adults alike, ‘Honeycrisp’ has a name that says it all. The fruits are super juicy and crisp and have a sweet flavor with hints of honey. The apples tend to be on the larger side and have light green skin that ripens to bright red with green speckles.
‘Honeycrisp’ was first developed in Minnesota when growers crossed ‘Macoun’ and ‘Honeygold’ in the 1960s. The breeders’ goal was to develop a cold-hardy apple with excellent fruit quality, and it’s safe to say they met their objective. In 2006, Minnesota declared the ‘Honeycrisp’ apple their state fruit.
The plants require another variety for pollination, so they’re not a good option if you only want to plant one tree. However, ‘Honeycrisp’ trees grow great with a pollinating variety like ‘Gala’ or ‘Golden Delicious.’ ‘Honeycrisp’ requires at least 800 chill hours, so it’s best suited for areas with cool winters.
You can expect to harvest the fruits sometime in September or October, depending on where you live. The apples can keep well for up to five months, making them a great storage variety.
‘Red Delicious’
‘Red Delicious’ apples stand out from other varieties thanks to their even, deep red color, thick skin, and heart shape. This variety has been around since 1872, when it emerged in an Iowa orchard. It took a few years to become popular, but by the early 1900s, it was one of the most widely grown varieties. It continued to be widely grown and consumed until its demise in the late 20th century.
One reason this apple gained popularity is the produce industry began prioritizing long shelf life and appearance over flavor. Although the ‘Red Delicious’ is sweet, its flavor is milder than modern varieties like ‘Fuji’ and ‘Honeycrisp.’ However, its thick, shiny red skin made it attractive in stores.
If you want to grow the mild and sweet ‘Red Delicious’ at home, make sure you receive at least 800 chill hours. The trees also require another variety for pollination.
‘Jonagold’
The variety first appeared in the 1940s at an agricultural research station in Geneva, New York. Plant breeders crossed the sweet ‘Golden Delicious’ and tart ‘Jonathan’ to create a variety that is mostly sweet with a hint of tartness. The flavor makes ‘Jonagold’ great for fresh eating, and the firm flesh also means the apples are good for baking and frying.
These trees require another variety to pollinate their flowers and cannot act as pollinators. Expect to harvest the fruits sometime in September.
‘Jonagold’ trees produce lots of fruits, so thinning the blossoms prevents the trees from becoming weighed down by the heavy apples. If left unthinned, the apples may break the trees’ branches and lead the tree to produce fruits every other year.
‘Macoun’
Among the sweetest apple varieties, ‘Maucon’ has a balanced tartness excellent for eating fresh or cooking. The firm flesh holds up well when heated, making it great for pies and other desserts. It was first developed in 1932 at the agricultural research station in Geneva, New York when apple breeders crossed ‘McIntosh’ and ‘New Jersey Black.’
In many locations, the apples are ready to pick in the middle of September. It’s best to pick the fruits as soon as they ripen since the short stems sometimes cause the apples to drop off the tree. They only last about a month in storage, so their season is quite short.
If you want to grow ‘Macoun’ apples at home, make sure you plant another variety to serve as a pollinator. Don’t be surprised if harvests vary from one year to the next—this variety is known for variable harvests.
‘Ambrosia’
‘Ambrosia’ is another newer variety that was discovered by chance. Growers in British Columbia noticed the tree growing in their orchard in the 1990s and began cultivating it for fruit. Since then, it’s remained a popular variety in Canada and has also become available in other parts of the world.
The fruits have yellow and light red skin and a crispy, sweet flesh. They have very low tartness and may have notes of honey.
‘Ambrosia’ trees require at least 700 chill hours to produce fruit and are hardy to zones 4-9. The trees have moderate disease resistance and grow well in cool, damp climates like those found in British Columbia.
‘Blue Pearmain’
‘Blue Pearmain’ is an heirloom variety recognized by Henry David Thoreau in his work Wild Apples. It’s not certain when this variety appeared, but it was widely planted in New England in the 1800s. Today, you can still find towering trees dotting the landscape.
The fruits have light green skin covered in a cloak of deep red and often sport patches of golden russet. The apples often become covered by a blueish bloom, leading to their common name. This bloom isn’t harmful, and you can easily wash it off.
‘Blue Pearmain’ apples are juicy and dense, and people note their tendency to feel heavy for their size. Their great flavor makes them suitable for eating fresh, and their ability to hold up when cooked makes them a good option for pies. They’re also popular apples for cider.
‘Cameo’
A product of the 1990s, ‘Cameo’ was first discovered in a Washington state orchard. Its parents are unknown, but some people think it emerged from either ‘Red Delicious’ or ‘Golden Delicious.’ The fruits are medium-sized, with light green skin covered with a bright red blush. The flavor is sweet and mild with hints of pear, and the flesh is rather soft.
The trees require another variety to pollinate their flowers. They only require 400 chill hours and are hardy in zones 4-8.
‘Fameuse’
Also known as ‘Snow Fameuse’ or ‘Snow,’ this variety is one of the oldest recorded. There’s some debate about where it emerged; many think it first appeared in French Canada, and others believe it was created in France. Regardless, it became widely planted in New England during the 1700s.
The apples are medium in size but short. They have lime-green skin that develops red patches as it ripens. Their flesh is extremely white—hence the name ‘Snow’—and has a sweet and floral fragrance. They taste sweet and mild and have a slightly soft texture. It’s used for eating fresh as well as making sweet cider and sauce.
Although most apples are grown from grafts, ‘Famuese’ is one of the few varieties that often grows true from seed. The fruits are best harvested a few weeks before they mature and can be kept for a few months in storage.
‘Holstein’
‘Holstein’ was first discovered in the German state of Schleswig-Holstein in 1918. Its lineage is unclear, but many people think ‘Cox Orange Pippin’ is one of the parents.
This makes sense when you consider that ‘Holstein’ looks like a larger and brighter version of the suspected parent. The skin is bright yellow with vertical, orangish-red stripes.
This apple variety is sweet, but not the sweetest; they also have a tartness that creates a pleasant balance. They’re great for snacking, pressing into fresh cider, and using for desserts.
If you want to grow ‘Holstein’ trees, take note that the flowers are susceptible to damage from late frosts. The trees are resistant to scab but may become infected by blight and mildew.
‘Opalescent’
This bright red heirloom apple was introduced in the late 1800s in Michigan. It almost looks like a cartoon apple thanks to its round shape and shiny red skin speckled with white dots.
The flesh is crisp and extremely flavorful, with a strawberry-like sweetness and a hint of tartness. Although these apples are crunchy, they’re not extremely juicy.
Since ‘Opalescent’ produces large fruits with a low water content, it’s a popular option for baking. However, the good flavor also means it’s good for fresh eating.
‘Envy™’
‘Envy™’ emerged as a cross between ‘Braeburn’ and ‘Royal Gala.’ It was first developed in New Zealand and became patented in 2009. It’s currently grown in various apple-growing regions worldwide. Since this is a protected variety, you can’t grow it at home. However, you can find these apples in stores.
The fruit has thick yellow skin that turns red as it matures. The apples are extremely sweet with a firm and juicy flesh. They hold up well in storage and are slow to brown after they’re cut.
‘Cosmic Crisp®’
The result of a long breeding effort at Washington State University, ‘Cosmic Crisp®’ is firm, juicy, crisp, and sweet. Plant breeders Bruce Barritt and Kate Evans created this variety by selecting the best progeny of a cross between ‘Honeycrisp’ and ‘Enterprise.’ The apples are definitely sweet, but they also have a tartness that keeps them interesting.
The fruits are late to ripen and have a great storage life. When you combine these two factors, you’ll find that ‘Cosmic Crisp®’ apples often remain available well into spring.
‘Golden Delicious’
The ultra-sweet ‘Golden Delicious’ apple variety popped up in the early 1900s when two trees crossed in West Virginia. Apple experts aren’t sure of the parent varieties, but ‘Grimes Golden’ and ‘Golden Reinette’ are two possibilities. Although this variety has a common name similar to the ‘Red Delicious’ apple, these two cultivars aren’t closely related.
‘Golden Delicious’ has yellow skin and sweet flesh. You can enjoy the apples fresh, but they also hold up well when baked in pies and cakes. Along with being a great apple itself, ‘Golden Delicious has helped create varieties including ‘Gala,’ ‘Mutsu,’ ‘Jonagold,’ and ‘Honeycrisp.’
This variety has a long bloom period, which means it’s a great tree to use as a pollinator for other apple trees. The trees also produce a heavy load of fruit over multiple weeks, making it a satisfying option for backyard growers.
