Apple Varieties

Center Grove Orchard has a variety of apples available for picking and in the Country Store!

Note that dates listed are estimated. If your heart is set on a specific variety, please reach out by phone or email prior to arrival to confirm apple availability.
Additional Questions?

August

ZESTAR!

Taste: Weet-tart, hint of brown sugar, crisp
Best Used For: Fresh eating & cooking

JONAMAC

Taste: Dessert apple, crisp flesh, good eating, tart flavor, Jonathan-McIntosh cross
Best Used For: Eating & baking

September

BLONDEE

Taste: Sweet & crunchy with non-browning flesh
Best Used For: Eating fresh or desserts

CORTLAND

Taste: Tart with a hint of sweet and tangy
Best Used For: Salads, kabobs, baking, garnishes

GALA

Taste: Crisp, firm, juicy, mild & sweet
Best Used For: Eating & salads

MCINTOSH

Taste: Tender, juicy, aromatic, tart-sweet
Best Used For: Eating, cooking (if using in pies, add more thickener)

SNAPDRAGON

Taste: Very sweet, subtly tart flavor with vanilla, melon, and spice-filled undertones
Best Used For: Gourmet recipes, eating fresh

HONEYCRISP

Taste: Crisp, juicy, mild, honeyed flavor
Best Used For: Eating, salads, sauce making

DAYBREAK FUJI

Taste: Firm, crisp, sweet
Best Used For: Baking

AUTUMN CRISP

Taste: Sweeter than it is tart, non browning
Best Used For: Eating fresh

CRIMSON CRISP

Taste: Very crisp, firm, tart
Best Used For: Baking & eating

RUBYRUSH

Taste: Sweet with a little tart edge
Best Used For: Eating fresh, salads

JONATHAN

Taste: Firm, spicy, sweet with a crisp snap. All-around good apple
Best Used For: Sauces, snacks, salads, pies, applesauce

EMPIRE

Taste: Sweet-tart, juicy cross between Red Delicious & McIntosh
Best Used For: Snacks, baking, cooking

SHIZUKA

Taste: Sweet
Best Used For: Eating

SNOW SWEET

Taste: Sweet taste with a slight tart balance, slow to brown when cut
Best Used For: Snacks & salads

October

CAMEO

Taste: Firm, crisp, aromatic, flavor, stores well
Best Used For: Eating & salads

GOLDEN DELICIOUS

Taste: Crisp, mild, sweet
Best Used For: Any use

LYSGOLDEN

Taste: Mildly sweet & juicy
Best Used For: Eating & salads

RED DELICIOUS

Taste: Sweet, juicy
Best Used For: Eating, salads, not particularly suitable for cooking or baking.

JONAGOLD

Taste: Crisp, juicy, sweet
Best Used For: Pies, baked desserts, sauces

MUTSU

Taste: Sweet-tart, distinct flavor
Best Used For: Eating, pies, salads

CHIEFTAIN

Taste: Sweet
Best Used For: Eating, sauces, pies, salads, baking

BRAEBURN

Taste: Sweet yet tart
Best Used For: Eating, salads, sauce making

FUJI

Taste: Mild sweet, juicy, firm
Best Used For: All uses, especially snacking

PINK LADY

Taste: Tart but still a lovely sweetness and citrusy tang
Best Used For: Good for poaching in wine, as well as making desserts

LUDACRISP

Taste: Sweet with a strong fruity taste of pineapple, red grapes and strawberries
Best Used For: Eating fresh

EVERCRISP

Taste: Strong Honeycrisp flavor but with the tang of a Fuji
Best Used For: Stores well so it is good to use as a holiday food or new year snack

November

GRANNY SMITH

Taste: Crisp, very tart
Best Used For: All uses, especially cakes, pies, and applesauce