The Latest Apple Varieties To Discover

It wasn’t that long ago that apples seemed limited to two types: green and red. Then came along a new breed of attention-grabbing varieties like the honeycrisp and Fuji. Now, every fall, there’s a new class of specialty breeds to try—sometimes, it seems, more than anyone could possibly keep track of.

At FreshDirect, our produce experts are always looking out for the newest and most noteworthy fruits on the market, bringing in the ones that are truly worth trying. Below, we’ve rounded up our latest and greatest finds: these are the new apples to know—there isn’t a bad one in the bunch.

Cosmic Crisp

The Cosmic Crisp is a recently-developed apple bred to have the ultimate balance of crispness, brightness, and sweetness. The result of 20 years of study and research by Washington State University’s fruit breeding program, it is a cross between the Honeycrisp and Enterprise varieties. The Cosmic Crisp is ideal for slicing up and eating fresh, or you can use it in baking recipes — just make sure to reduce your added sugar since these apples are exceptionally sweet.

Envy

Crunchy, sweet, and juicy, these rosy-red taste-sensations are the envy of all other apples. Created using natural plant-breeding methods, Envys are a cross between Braeburns and Galas, and the result is an apple that’s bright and beautiful on the outside, tender and tasty on the inside. With a flesh that stays bright long after being cut, these apples are perfect for salads and cheese plates, but make a wonderful naturally sweet snack too.

Hidden Rose

Rose apples have a yellow blush exterior that conceals dazzling, red-colored flesh inside. Their flavor has a good balance of tart and sweet, with a crisp and juicy bite. Slice them up for a snack that is as pleasing to look at as it is to eat. You can also use them for cooking and baking, where they’ll hold their shape nicely.

Rave

Everyone is raving over this new apple variety—a delicate and flavor-packed cross between the honeycrisp and MonArk. Inside their beautiful bright red skin is a crisp, fine white flesh that’s undeniably juicy. Sliced up or eaten as is, they’re ideal for packed lunches or anytime snacking

SnapDragon

Known for its bright color, monster crunch, and oh-so sweet flavor, the SnapDragon is the ultimate New York apple. Developed by Cornell University’s apple breeding program, one of the SnapDragon’s parents is the classic honeycrisp, so you know you can count on it to be a delicious lunchbox snack or flavorful addition to your breakfast granola or lunch salad.

SweeTango

SweeTango apples are crisp and sweet, with a lively touch of citrus, honey and spice. They also offer unmatched texture—perfectly crunchy and satisfyingly juicy. These apples sing on their own for any-time snacking, stand out in recipes and pair perfectly with a variety of wines, cheeses and more.

Zestar

Aptly named, the early-season Zestar packs a sweet-tart and zesty punch. Similar to the traditional honeycrisp, these apples are crisp, light and crunchy with a warm, yellow interior and an attractive yellow-red streaked skin. They’re a perfect addition to lunch bags and after-school snacks.