The Honeycrisp apple variety is widely credited with reviving the apple industry. Once consumers caught on to the incredible quality, flavor, and texture of this apple, growers rapidly began expanding Honeycrisp plantings. Developed by the University of Minnesota, the original Honeycrisp strain tends to produce better colored fruit for growers located in northern, cold climates like Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, and New York. Even in these climates, there are years where Honeycrisp does not achieve great color.
To remedy these coloring challenges, new Honeycrisp strains have been introduced. These strains offer redder Honeycrisp that color earlier. Another new Honeycrisp strain described below doesn’t offer better color, but it does ripen three weeks earlier, extending the Honeycrisp season considerably.
Honeycrisp, Minn. 1711. cv.
- A highly popular variety for fresh market and packing
- Ripens 15 days before Red Delicious (mid September in Michigan)
- Variable coloration, colder climates have better coloring
- Low vigor variety
Premier™ Honeycrisp, DAS 10 cv., USPP 24,833
- An early ripening Honeycrisp
- Ripens three weeks before standard Honeycrisp
- Coloring, eating quality, and storage characteristics are similar to standard Honeycrisp
- Low vigor variety
Roseland Red Honeycrisp™ RS 1078 cv., USPP PPAF
- A new red strain discovered in Virginia
- High colored strain, may color better than other strains in warm climates
- Coloring, eating quality, and storage characteristics are similar to standard Honeycrisp
- Low vigor variety
Firestorm Honeycrisp™
- A red strain of Honeycrisp
- Eating and storage characteristics are identical to standard Honeycrisp
- Low vigor variety
- High colored strain
Royal Red Honeycrisp® LJ 1000 cv., USPP22,244
- A red strain of Honeycrisp
- Highly colored strain with earlier coloring than other strains
- Early testing indicates it may store better than standard Honeycrisp
- Low vigor variety
