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.

If you wish to hear apple varieties that are currently available in our Country Store or U-pick, please call us at 515-383-4354 and select the appropriate option, send us a message through our website.
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