42 votes

How Honeycrisp apples went from marvel to mediocre

31 comments

  1. unkz
    Link
    Interesting article about how and why honeycrisp apple quality has degraded over time. The main points are: being grown in bulk in climates different than before (warm Washington instead of cold...

    Interesting article about how and why honeycrisp apple quality has degraded over time. The main points are:

    • being grown in bulk in climates different than before (warm Washington instead of cold Minnesota)
    • being available out of season means degradation during storage
    • the reason honeycrisps are so good is also what makes them degrade in storage (thin skin, large juicy cells)
    23 votes
  2. [6]
    Nemoder
    Link
    I'm surprised it only briefly mentioned the Cosmic Crisp which has had a big marketing push to try and de-throne Honey Crisp. There's a ton of factors here beyond just fruit hardiness though:...

    I'm surprised it only briefly mentioned the Cosmic Crisp which has had a big marketing push to try and de-throne Honey Crisp. There's a ton of factors here beyond just fruit hardiness though: changing weather patterns, patent wars, trade wars, massive orchards that began replacing their varieties several years ago. Remember it takes at least 5 years to get a new variety into production, and can take longer to scale it up for the bigger farms depending on availability from tree nurseries.

    11 votes
    1. [2]
      zipf_slaw
      Link Parent
      The main selling point Cosmic Crisp has over Honey Crisp is that it's had the polyphenol oxidase enzyme bred out of it, which means it doesn't really brown when cells are damaged, so you can...

      The main selling point Cosmic Crisp has over Honey Crisp is that it's had the polyphenol oxidase enzyme bred out of it, which means it doesn't really brown when cells are damaged, so you can prepare cut fruit and have it last a significantly longer time before it's unappealing. A game-changer in apple quality and shelf-life.

      25 votes
      1. tanglisha
        Link Parent
        Oh, wow, I had no idea. I’ll have to try drying some without lemon juice and see how they do. Aside from taste and texture, one of the reasons I love Cosmic Crisp is that they’re of reasonable...

        Oh, wow, I had no idea. I’ll have to try drying some without lemon juice and see how they do.

        Aside from taste and texture, one of the reasons I love Cosmic Crisp is that they’re of reasonable size. I’ve rarely been able to finish a whole Honeycrisp, even when they were fantastic. I tend to buy 1-3 apples at a time for out of hand eating, one Honeycrisp often costs as much as the Cosmic Crisps. Fujis keep getting bigger and bigger, I really hope they don’t start breeding huge Cosmic Crisps.

        3 votes
    2. [3]
      knocklessmonster
      Link Parent
      Cosmic Crisp had a similar, more rapid decline. I had my first a few years ago in Oregon that blew my mind then every one since was horrible.

      Cosmic Crisp had a similar, more rapid decline. I had my first a few years ago in Oregon that blew my mind then every one since was horrible.

      3 votes
      1. [2]
        Nemoder
        Link Parent
        The freshness and flavor can change dramatically depending on the reseller and time of year. I grew up around commercial orchards and my favorite apple is actually still the Golden Delicious,...

        The freshness and flavor can change dramatically depending on the reseller and time of year. I grew up around commercial orchards and my favorite apple is actually still the Golden Delicious, however I can fully understand why so many people despise it after buying one in a supermarket. Night and day difference between that and fresh off the tree.

        5 votes
        1. chocobean
          (edited )
          Link Parent
          I didn't grow up near apples, but my family made annual trips to lychee orchards. Other tropical fruit that are ripe off the tree as well. Yup absolutely night and day difference. [Edited for...

          I didn't grow up near apples, but my family made annual trips to lychee orchards. Other tropical fruit that are ripe off the tree as well. Yup absolutely night and day difference.

          [Edited for clarity] Many mundane apples are a good apple fresh off a tree. Today I grabbed a crab off a roadside tree and it was quite decent.

          4 votes
  3. [4]
    chocobean
    Link
    We don't have a hunger for a specific brand name of apples, we just wants apples that taste good and hasn't been in the fridge for a year. For me, the name is tainted now, just like...

    We don't have a hunger for a specific brand name of apples, we just wants apples that taste good and hasn't been in the fridge for a year.

    For me, the name is tainted now, just like Chinese/American Fuji or Korean Shine Muscat : fool me eight or more times, shame on you.

    When I was growing up we "flick test" apples: flick them and listen for a crisp echo. Mealy gross apples have a duller sound. I don't want to do that these days.... I buy one that looks decent and only buy more if they prove themselves. I do still buy bulk "meh" apples for baking and nutritional reasons, but I don't pay anything like top dollar for honeycrisp cosmic crisp jazz et al. When a cultivar first appears at Costco they're usually good, then they become kindred of the red delicious.

    7 votes
    1. [3]
      unkz
      Link Parent
      True, but -- I remember early honey crisps and they were legitimately delicious. It makes me want to visit Minnesota during the right season just to get that original taste.

      True, but -- I remember early honey crisps and they were legitimately delicious. It makes me want to visit Minnesota during the right season just to get that original taste.

      10 votes
      1. chocobean
        Link Parent
        Many years ago, I've had one at the Seattle Pike place market farmer's stall. Size of a grapefruit, more crisp than a crystal pear but not sandy. The sweetness isn't totally unique: a good apple...

        Many years ago, I've had one at the Seattle Pike place market farmer's stall. Size of a grapefruit, more crisp than a crystal pear but not sandy. The sweetness isn't totally unique: a good apple fresh off a tree could do that: gala, machintosh, even a delicious. Guy at the stall just cut them into slices, handed them out, and people would hand over money immediately. They were magic.

        I don't think it's possible to have fruit like that in every market all year, and they should stop trying. Have seasonal foods.

        17 votes
      2. Omnicrola
        Link Parent
        My partner and I go with her sisters family to a local orchard here in Michigan the first week of u-pick honeycrisp season each year. The first year I went with them, mind blown, it's a night and...

        My partner and I go with her sisters family to a local orchard here in Michigan the first week of u-pick honeycrisp season each year. The first year I went with them, mind blown, it's a night and day difference.

        5 votes
  4. tanglisha
    Link
    I recently read a farming book written by a phd in biology/genetics who does a lot of plant breeding. In it, she talks about both lost varieties and changed varieties. Parts of this book are only...

    I recently read a farming book written by a phd in biology/genetics who does a lot of plant breeding. In it, she talks about both lost varieties and changed varieties. Parts of this book are only going to be useful if you live in the PNW west of the Cascade or a similar environment, but there is also a shallow but wide look at aspects of farming I haven’t seen discussed anywhere else, like how/why seed strains change over time, how to adapt strains to work better where you live, how to seriously store those seeds for long term even if you’re in a humid environment, and how to use tools like plant spacing adjustment to manage water usage.

    I’m sad that I’ve been an utter failure at keeping up the huge old apple trees in my yard because I don’t want or know how to spray them and so the apples are all bad every year, despite trying methods like wrapping individual fruits and covering them with kaolin clay. I always thought orchards were pretty hands off, that’s not true around here.

    7 votes
  5. [3]
    JordanM
    Link
    I had the sense that honeycrisps weren't as good as when I first tried them, but interesting to learn why. My own personal favorite cultivar would be the pink lady. Strong preference for very...

    I had the sense that honeycrisps weren't as good as when I first tried them, but interesting to learn why. My own personal favorite cultivar would be the pink lady. Strong preference for very crispy apples and I like that they're just a bit more tart than sweet.

    5 votes
    1. [2]
      Jerutix
      Link Parent
      Pink Lady is the way to go! After trying one for the first time, I easily prefer them to every other type of apple. Buy them at Aldi pre-bagged, and they seem better there versus buying them other...

      Pink Lady is the way to go! After trying one for the first time, I easily prefer them to every other type of apple. Buy them at Aldi pre-bagged, and they seem better there versus buying them other places. Not sure why.

      3 votes
      1. Akir
        Link Parent
        Ssssh! If everyone knows how good pink ladies are they're going to get made worse just like all the others....

        Ssssh! If everyone knows how good pink ladies are they're going to get made worse just like all the others....

        5 votes
  6. [2]
    sum4
    Link
    I still prefer the boring granny smith when they're perfectly tart and crispy, can't be beaten, outside of their season it's a little hit and miss however.

    I still prefer the boring granny smith when they're perfectly tart and crispy, can't be beaten, outside of their season it's a little hit and miss however.

    4 votes
    1. Happy_Shredder
      Link Parent
      Yeah granny smith is the only constantly good apple to me, for both eating fresh and baking.

      Yeah granny smith is the only constantly good apple to me, for both eating fresh and baking.

      2 votes
  7. [10]
    Zorind
    Link
    I really like Cortland apples, even though they are not ranked highly (at all) by applerankings. I like that they’re “soft” but still have a good crunch through the skin, and I like the tartness....

    I really like Cortland apples, even though they are not ranked highly (at all) by applerankings.

    I like that they’re “soft” but still have a good crunch through the skin, and I like the tartness.

    Granted, I only get them once or twice in September from a local orchard (in the Midwest USA).

    3 votes
    1. [6]
      DefinitelyNotAFae
      Link Parent
      The person who rated Autumn Glory is incorrect and makes me doubt all their tastes, but also there's one of the most unhinged comments I've ever read, on an APPLE ranking site of all things, that...

      The person who rated Autumn Glory is incorrect and makes me doubt all their tastes, but also there's one of the most unhinged comments I've ever read, on an APPLE ranking site of all things, that starts with apples, then pivots to "Crossbreeding women and dogs" and hits on makeup, comtrails [sic], and COVID vaccines.

      It's glorious and horrifying.

      10 votes
      1. [3]
        unkz
        Link Parent
        For those who want to know,

        For those who want to know,

        “divisive? Is that even a real word? The best apple on the plant was the golden delicious. But what happened to that breed of apple? Now I know they were cross-breeding it. Can’t they just leave well enough alone? That’s like how “they” want to cross-breed women with dogs…..to see if they give birth to a large litter of live puppies!!! For God’s sake, what type of sick demonic presence overtakes a person’s abillity to rationalize one’s own actions. Hey, let’s implant another dog’s head on this other dog’s body so we can see if they will eat their dry doggy food together!! Oh wow! Success! That’s just sick! Bring bag the original golden delicious apple without the cross-breeding will ya please? And while you’re at it, I’d like my Milani creme to powder foundation, medium beige, 07 back! There are no other similar tones; you can’t always substitute one for the other. Is the consumer always right? Oh, that’s the customer. And quit the damn comtrails will ya? No, you can’t force me into getting one of your Covid vaccines; not now. Not ever! GO TRUMP!!!!!!

        12 votes
        1. [2]
          nukeman
          Link Parent
          Minus the specific Trump and Covid references, that whole comment feels like a trip back to a random forum circa 2012.

          Minus the specific Trump and Covid references, that whole comment feels like a trip back to a random forum circa 2012.

          12 votes
          1. DefinitelyNotAFae
            Link Parent
            There are other wild comments from people way too upset about apples but this one was special. And from November 24

            There are other wild comments from people way too upset about apples but this one was special. And from November 24

            6 votes
      2. [2]
        Zorind
        Link Parent
        Oh it’s definitely a mostly unserious website. I think all the reviews are by the same guy (a comedian), but they’re all mostly unhinged enough to be funny. I wouldn’t take the blurbs as accurate,...

        Oh it’s definitely a mostly unserious website. I think all the reviews are by the same guy (a comedian), but they’re all mostly unhinged enough to be funny.

        I wouldn’t take the blurbs as accurate, but the scales and flavor profiles are maybe slightly more accurate. Taste is subjective anyway.

        But that comment on that review is even more unhinged than the review itself.

        2 votes
        1. DefinitelyNotAFae
          Link Parent
          Taste is objective but... Yeah. If it's just a joke bit, ok, I hadn't seen the site before. But damn yeah that commenter was joking

          Taste is objective but... Yeah.

          If it's just a joke bit, ok, I hadn't seen the site before. But damn yeah that commenter was joking

          1 vote
    2. [3]
      ShroudedScribe
      Link Parent
      Cosmic crisp is only a 2.5/5 in sweetness? Admittedly I haven't taste tested every apple, but I find it pretty damn sweet. And (no offense to those who are) I'm not one of those people who find...

      Cosmic crisp is only a 2.5/5 in sweetness? Admittedly I haven't taste tested every apple, but I find it pretty damn sweet.

      And (no offense to those who are) I'm not one of those people who find Starbucks drinks, cookies, ice cream, etc to be "too sweet."

      Edit: whoever is posting these reviews has had way too much fun with this. The "Crimson Gold Apple" is a 4/5 sweetness but hated enough to get a 31/100.

      These little shits are glorified crabapples masquerading as edible fruit and should not be tolerated outside of cider production and pretentious baking applications. Each minuscule bite of these filthy monkey cheeks explode with an intense yet somehow dry flavor combination that will make you want to spontaneously vomit. Do not be fooled by this repackaged trash, Crimson Gold is just a misleading name slapped on a swollen testicle.

      10 votes
      1. SteeeveTheSteve
        Link Parent
        A 5/5 must be an apple shaped sugar cube soaked in syrup. At some point the sweetness goes too far, Apples shouldn't be candied before you even pick them.

        Cosmic crisp is only a 2.5/5 in sweetness? Admittedly I haven't taste tested every apple, but I find it pretty damn sweet.

        A 5/5 must be an apple shaped sugar cube soaked in syrup. At some point the sweetness goes too far, Apples shouldn't be candied before you even pick them.

        3 votes
      2. ahatlikethat
        Link Parent
        I've tasted these and I have to say, he's spot on.

        I've tasted these and I have to say, he's spot on.

  8. SteeeveTheSteve
    Link
    Never liked the Honeycrisp and similar overly sweet apples. Sure they're sweet, but they lack flavor and I'm not a fan of apples that taste like they're filled with syrup. I go for Fugi apples and...

    Never liked the Honeycrisp and similar overly sweet apples. Sure they're sweet, but they lack flavor and I'm not a fan of apples that taste like they're filled with syrup.

    I go for Fugi apples and off the tree King apples with slight sugar spots. Braeburn are awesome too. Northern Spy are kind of nice if you prefer a slight tart flavor (less than granny smith).

    3 votes
  9. [3]
    mattsayar
    Link
    Has anyone ever found a SweeTango apple? They're #1 on https://applerankings.com/ but I've yet to see them in the wild. I'd still rather have honeycrisp than most other apples, even if they're not...

    Has anyone ever found a SweeTango apple? They're #1 on https://applerankings.com/ but I've yet to see them in the wild.

    I'd still rather have honeycrisp than most other apples, even if they're not as good as when I first encountered them.

    2 votes
    1. [2]
      patience_limited
      (edited )
      Link Parent
      Northern Michigan, lots of orchards have started selling SweeTango apples here. It's a patented apple variety licensed through the University of Minnesota, so there's a price premium (typical...

      Northern Michigan, lots of orchards have started selling SweeTango apples here. It's a patented apple variety licensed through the University of Minnesota, so there's a price premium (typical store price is $4 - $5/pound).

      I find it reasonably tasty when fresh, but not as good as original Honeycrisps. It's very juicy to the bite, almost to the point of being watery. Pink Lady is my current favorite.

      Keep in mind, SweeTango is another very seasonal apple, available mid-August through December, and it doesn't store any better than other varieties. I wouldn't buy it January - September.

      3 votes
      1. Jerutix
        Link Parent
        I used to see them at Sprouts in Oklahoma during Apple-anch (avalanche) in October. Not sure that I ever tried one.

        I used to see them at Sprouts in Oklahoma during Apple-anch (avalanche) in October. Not sure that I ever tried one.

        2 votes