From the University of Minnesota, introduced in 1991. It was originally thought it was a cross of Honeygold x Macoun but recently DNA testing proved that there had been some tagging error as neither parent had compatible genes. However, still from this DNA testing, it seems Keepsake would be one of the parents of Honeycrisp, the other one being unknown.

This is the apple everyone is talking about these days, and probably one of the most planted variety. It has started to be offered commercially and a lot of people are pushing it strongly.

It is a semi-late apple, hardy to zone 3, with good productivity and good keeping. But it is mostly famous for it's "Crispness".

Picture of Honeycrisp from Claude's orchard, apples picked September 16, 2006, max size 70 mm across.

GROWER COMMENTS:

Claude Jolicoeur, Quebec, Zone 4

Honeycrisp is probably the most beautiful apple to grow in my orchard. The color, shape make it a very inviting apple. I also like the fact that it is absolutely clean of scab even if unsprayed and on very wet years. The hardiness is perfect in my zone 4, the fruit matures and sizes well. However, I am not that excited about how it tastes - but it is one of the favorites of my children... So they get eaten, and this is the most important!

Todd Parlo, Vermont, Zone 3

Claude, I think that last comment should be emphasized. This also is one of my son's favorites (he says it is Wolf River, but somehow it is the Honeycrisps that keep vanishing out of the root cellar. I have criticized the hoopla around this apple (and the new and very strange marketing campaigns, especially in Minnesota), elsewhere on this site. It is all a bit much considering it isn't THAT good a taster, really (it is the texture that folks are ga ga about). But, when something like a FRUIT, god forbid, captures the attentions of the Western palate instead of glazed donuts and chicken wings, we have to see it as a step forward. Growing wise, it has done well in our zone 3 orchard, cropping for the first time this year from trees I bench grafted in 2002 and planted out the following year. I must mention I had some scab damage, but not too bad compared to many other favorites. I have seen Honeycrisp apple advertised as scab resistant, and I guess it is somewhat. This is a good moment to mention that there is a difference in the words scab-resistant and scab-immune. We did not spray these trees and there are plenty of scab vectors in our orchard including a huge variety of susceptible Rosaceae. Growers should also take a look at the info on the "Honeycrisp Yellows", a newly recognized affliction in the cultivar's foliage. Also common in this variety is bitter pit. Many fruits we have purchased at a variety of orchards have shown this affliction which manifests itself as little sunken brown spots just below the skin, and is caused by mineral imbalances, especially a deficiency of calcium. Although you can eat right through this in the early stages, it will greatly reduce itskeeping ability, not to mention the saleability of the fresh fruits. I do agree that it is a pretty apple, a great keeper, and probably a good addition for the home orchard due to its low spray candidacy. It is also a good one to grab when you are out in the orchard and real thirsty, since it surely is juicy and refreshing even if the taste isn't very pronounced.

Michael Phillips, New Hampshire, Zone 4 (from the Minnesota apples thread)
As they say, everyone goes ga-ga over this apple. Honeycrisp sets the standard for extremely satisfying crunch. I'm not as hepped up about its 'empty sweetness' but that's what the modern- day palate often seeks. There are calcium issues with this tree, and larger roots will fare better over the years than dwarfing stock. I understand the patent has run out on HC and we can now graft new trees without paying royalties.

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