Harvest late September Season September to November Quality mild flavor, slightly tart, crisp texture Use fresh-eating, baking

Holstein

Harvest late September Season September through November or longer Quality intense, rich flavor and aroma Use fresh-eating

Holstein is an offspring of Cox Orange Pippin and has flavor and aroma that may be even more intense. Hard, coarse, dense, juicy flesh in an orange russeted package, Holstein is a variety that bites back, and is not for the timid.

Honeycrisp

Harvest mid-September Season September to January Quality intensely crisp and juicy, sweet and tart balance Use fresh-eating, salad, cooking

There is only one drawback to Honeycrisp that we are aware of, and that is that it is hard to find. Demand is far exceeding supply right now for this relative newcomer from Minnesota. Honeycrisp is so good as a fresh-eating apple and has such wide appeal that it is the one variety to recommend with absolute confidence. The two strongest features are a crisp, dense, juicy, flesh that seems to explode in the mouth, and a wonderful balance of tart and sweet flavors. While it has a flavor intensity that appeals to antique apple lovers, it is also clean and refreshing which appeals to Americans with less adventurous palates. It seems to do better in a colder climate and we are beginning to see it in fruit stands all over Michigan, Wisconsin and especially in Minnesota. This one made us true believers here last fall. Find it.

Honeygold

Harvest late October Season October through December Quality Slightly sweet flavor, crisp texture Use fresh-eating, sauce, pies

A Minnesota Golden Delicious and Haralson cross, it is similar to Golden Delicious. Some say it is blander than Golden Delicious, but we found it to be very good last year with a more interesting flavor than Golden Delicious. We were testing it the same night we tested Honeycrisp and Swiss Gourmet, which is pretty stiff competition. It did come in behind those two varieties, but not by a lot. We probably caught it at just the right moment of ripeness. We were surprised and will be looking for it this year. Like so many varieties, catching it at just the right time makes all the difference in the world. The moral of the story? Buy local; buy in season.

Hubbardston Nonesuch

Harvest October Season October to December Quality hard, crisp, fine-grained, rich flavor Use fresh-eating, cider, baking

Hubbardston is a classic old New England apple with a lot of character. It was well known and highly sought after in New England as early as the 1830s. Like many varieties from the past it is dense, complex and rich in flavor. It has an exceptionally high sugar content. It may be at its best shortly after harvest. Don't pass this one by should you see it at a fruit stand, especially in October.

Hudsons Golden Gem

Harvest late September Season October into December Quality sweet, juicy pear-like flavor Use fresh-eating

Lop-sided, small, with rough skin and a dull yellow color; why would anyone call this variety a "gem"? Taste it.

Idared

Harvest late October Season late October through March Quality tangy flavor, firm texture Use fresh-eating, baking

Tangy and firm, hard and tart, Ida Red is a real workhorse variety. "Old Reliable" lasts forever and keeps its quality in storage. It will never be considered a gourmet variety, but it is reliable in the kitchen and can be a good fresh-eating apple. It absolutely excels as a baking apple. This is the variety to stock up on should you need to feed an army, or survive a winter in a log cabin in the frozen north. Ida will never let you down.

Jersey Mac

Harvest August Season late August and early September Quality tart, tender, juicy Use fresh-eating, sauce, baking

For a brief period after picking Jersey Mac can be an outstanding variety, right up there with the best. It quickly subsides to being just a good apple rather than a great one, so grab them quick. It is a beautiful looking apple, bright red and green, glossy and perfectly round. Don't pass them up, but be aware of the season and with luck you'll find some truly spectacular tasting ones.