# I don't get Honeycrisp apples **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 11, 2020, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-honeycrisp-apples/847791 "2020-02-11T18:35:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2020, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-honeycrisp-apples/847791/41 "2020-02-12T21:05:27Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > Around here, Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisps and Braeburns are kind of treated interchangeably – it’s like the “fourth apple” next to Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, and Granny Smiths. Maybe half the time, we’ll have a fourth AND a fifth apple option – this differs seasonally, I think. > > I’ve seen Pink Lady and Jazz apples around, but sporadically. Never have seen Opals, Pinatas, or McIntosh locally. The McIntosh is a pretty famous variety (not just because of the computers) … do they not travel/keep well? Any special reason we never get them in the New Orleans area? They don’t keep well, they are a little soft to travel well, and they need cold weather to grow well. So… you probably can’t get good ones in New Orleans. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2020, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-honeycrisp-apples/847791/42 "2020-02-12T21:32:23Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > Around here, Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisps and Braeburns are kind of treated interchangeably – it’s like the “fourth apple” next to Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, and Granny Smiths. Maybe half the time, we’ll have a fourth AND a fifth apple option – this differs seasonally, I think. > > I’ve seen Pink Lady and Jazz apples around, but sporadically. Never have seen Opals, Pinatas, or McIntosh locally. The McIntosh is a pretty famous variety (not just because of the computers) … do they not travel/keep well? Any special reason we never get them in the New Orleans area? Opals are starting to be more common; I’m a fan, because they were bred to not turn brown quickly, and they taste pretty good as well. And they’re a cool bright yellow color. According to Wikipedia, imported apples supplanted the McIntosh as a general purpose apple variety. ---
**Author:** ![typoink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@typoink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typoink)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2020, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-honeycrisp-apples/847791/43 "2020-02-12T22:35:01Z")
> [@amarinth](#): > > I do find Cosmic Crisp apples overrated. Not bad, but not worth the not-on-sale price. This is true, but only because Cosmic Crisps are BRAND new. They’re supposed to last longer and travel better than Honeycrisps, so they should eventually be more price-competitive. There were a few years where I felt like grocery store Honeycrisps weren’t very good and didn’t hold a candle to orchard-picked apples. More recently, I’ve gotten a few bags from stores that were absolutely solid. I don’t know if my luck improved or frowing conditions improved or low quality producers have gotten removed from the system. ---
**Author:** ![Mangosteen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2020, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-honeycrisp-apples/847791/44 "2020-02-12T22:40:26Z")
> [@Quimby](#): > > They taste much better than many other types of apples. They are more expensive because people growing it have to pay a license to the creators of the strain. > > Red Delicious apples used to taste good but all the flavor has been bred out of them in favor of apples that looks nice on a shelf because those sell better. Capitalism. If you don’t like Capitalism, why don’t you visit Socialist Cuba or North Korea and see what the quality of apples that are available there is IF there are any available at all. Capitalism means that there are 5 or 6 other varieties available to choose from if for some reason you don’t like Red Delicious. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2020, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-honeycrisp-apples/847791/45 "2020-02-12T22:54:08Z")
Honeycrisps are pretty good - crisp is probably my #1 requirement for an apple, and the flavor is sweet with an undertone of tartness. After years of the mushy reign of Red Delicious, it’s nice to see alternatives becoming widely available. We have a large u-pick orchard and fruit mart located not far away with opportunities for further taste testing. ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2020, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-honeycrisp-apples/847791/46 "2020-02-12T23:05:04Z")
> [@Mangosteen](#): > > If you don’t like Capitalism, why don’t you visit Socialist Cuba or North Korea and see what the quality of apples that are available there is IF there are any available at all. Capitalism means that there are 5 or 6 other varieties available to choose from if for some reason you don’t like Red Delicious. Nobody really likes Red Delicious apples because they’re the biggest sham ever foisted on the apple eating public. Anyway, if you are reading this and you have never gone to an apple orchard during apple season, you need to put it on your bucket list. The difference between fresh orchard apples and supermarket ones is quite remarkable both in quality and variety. (even Red Delicious are good from an orchard, but their flavor disappears after a week off of the tree) ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2020, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-honeycrisp-apples/847791/47 "2020-02-12T23:48:13Z")
> [@Mangosteen](#): > > If you don’t like Capitalism, why don’t you visit Socialist Cuba or North Korea and see what the quality of apples that are available there is IF there are any available at all. Capitalism means that there are 5 or 6 other varieties available to choose from if for some reason you don’t like Red Delicious. You seem nice. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-honeycrisp-apples/847791/48 "2020-02-13T00:17:46Z")
> [@Ulfreida](#): > > I prefer my apples sour and very crisp, even hard > [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > My favorite remains the Stayman Winesap. Tart, crisp, late season, and thick skinned. Belle de Boskoop, you guys. Belle. De. Boskoop. Contrary to many descriptions, I find that they’re not the best-keeping apple, tending to get a little mealy and/or soft around this time of year. But if you find fresh-picked ones in October or November, buy a bushel and eat them all. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-honeycrisp-apples/847791/49 "2020-02-13T00:24:13Z")
> [@Quimby](#): > > You seem nice. Made me literally laugh out loud. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-honeycrisp-apples/847791/50 "2020-02-13T00:32:38Z")
The great thing - to my mind - about honeycrisps is that the skin doesn’t taste chalky when you bake them. So I can make an apple pie in no time at all, just slice 'em up and toss 'em in a crust. My favorite for eating is Pink Lady. If I am cooking pork with apples, then I want Jazz, which have a warmer, more cidery flavor. And if I want to slice up an apple to eat with cheddar or peanut butter, then I want a winesap or a cortland. On rare occasions I get a craving for Granny Smith with Gouda, but I go years in between. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-honeycrisp-apples/847791/51 "2020-02-13T00:35:56Z")
> [@bump](#): > > In NYC? Color me surprised. Here in Dallas, we can reliably get the big four potato varieties - russet, gold, white and red. Usually in a small variety of sizes. We can also usually get heirloom purple potatoes and funky little bite-sized ones in variety bags. I’m talking about easily available potatoes in Whole Foods, grocery stores, and greengrocers. I suppose I could take the subway uptown and shop at the artisanal potato boutiques. I can get fingerlings pretty much anywhere, also. And the Weekly local farmer greenmarket has at least one imaginative potatowoman who offers Kennebecs, Yellow Finns, Adirondack Reds, Kerr’s Pinks, etc. If I skip a week, though, it’s back to Russet and Yukon Gold for me. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-honeycrisp-apples/847791/52 "2020-02-13T01:06:14Z")
My mom likes to tell the story about one of the first times I was given an apple…it was a Red Delicious. Apparently I would take a bite, chew thoroughly, then spit the pieces of skin out. I love Honeycrisps, but I also enjoy Fuji and Gala apples. And I always look forward to the times when the head of my company’s document control department comes back from her annual trip to the mountains with a sackful of apples fresh from the orchard to share…typically there are lots of Winesaps in there. ---
**Author:** ![Knavette](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Knavette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knavette)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-honeycrisp-apples/847791/53 "2020-02-13T01:24:34Z")
It has probably been said, but picking apples of any sort right from the tree is the best way to get great tasting apples. Really, any fruit is much better right off the tree or bush etc. However, I am fortunate to live in an area with great orchards that offer pick yr own all summer long. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-honeycrisp-apples/847791/54 "2020-02-13T01:33:18Z")
> [@typoink](#): > > … > There were a few years where I felt like grocery store Honeycrisps weren’t very good and didn’t hold a candle to orchard-picked apples. More recently, I’ve gotten a few bags from stores that were absolutely solid. I don’t know if my luck improved or frowing conditions improved or low quality producers have gotten removed from the system. > [@Knavette](#): > > It has probably been said, but picking apples of any sort right from the tree is the best way to get great tasting apples. Really, any fruit is much better right off the tree or bush etc. However, I am fortunate to live in an area with great orchards that offer pick yr own all summer long. Yeah, no grocery store apple is going to beat an orchard-picked apple, unless the grocery store is buying local apples in season. Fresh ripe apples are just a lot better than stored, shipped apples. > [@Kimstu](#): > > Belle de Boskoop, you guys. Belle. De. Boskoop… I’ve tried. No one grows them near me. ☹ Caville Blanc is an awesome cooking apple, though, if you want a nice firm white cooked slice of apple. It makes gorgeous and tasty tarts. Also very hard and rather tart. ---
**Author:** ![Knavette](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Knavette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knavette)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-honeycrisp-apples/847791/55 "2020-02-13T01:46:51Z")
\*\* Caville Blanc is an awesome cooking apple, though, if you want a nice firm white cooked slice of apple. It makes gorgeous and tasty tarts. Also very hard and rather tart\*\* I will make note of this; I much prefer a tart apple for baking. Granny Smiths and Jonathans go into my apple crisp and apple pie, but Cavilles sound even better… ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-honeycrisp-apples/847791/56 "2020-02-13T02:41:11Z")
Honeycrisp are meh, to me. At my local Kroger, they sell for $2.49/lbs. Whereas I can for only $1.99/lbs get Ambrosias, which to me are sweeter and have a better texture. I eat about ten or so a week. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-honeycrisp-apples/847791/57 "2020-02-13T06:11:35Z")
The Honeycrisps at Jewel (unlabeled) are okay, at Mariano’s (labeled Rainier) are sweeter. But Cosmic Crisp!!! They appeared at Jewel for only one week and I only bought 7. I wish I’d bought two dozen. As crisp as Honeycrisp, but much sweeter! Absolutely delicious! They’d be my apple of choice for as long as they were in the store! ---
**Author:** ![kitap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@kitap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitap)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-honeycrisp-apples/847791/58 "2020-02-13T08:13:51Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Pssst, that’s a potato you’re munching. [https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russet\_apple](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russet_apple) Nope! One of the orchards in Gays Mills used - still might - grow them. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-honeycrisp-apples/847791/59 "2020-02-13T11:34:35Z")
> [@Knavette](#): > > It has probably been said, but picking apples of any sort right from the tree is the best way to get great tasting apples. Really, any fruit is much better right off the tree or bush etc. However, I am fortunate to live in an area with great orchards that offer pick yr own all summer long. For me, the best way to experience an apple is picking it from the tree while on horseback. Riding through an orchard you have every apple right at eye level. > [@kitap](#): > > [https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russet\_apple](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russet_apple) > > Nope! One of the orchards in Gays Mills used - still might - grow them. > [@](#): > > Russet apples are varieties and cultivars of apples that regularly exhibit russeting, partial or complete coverage with rough patches of greenish-brown to yellowish-brown colour. While russeting is generally an undesirable trait in modern cultivars, russet varieties are often seen as more traditional, and associated with aromatic flavours. Wow. I never heard the term before. Russeting, along with bruising or splitting is a reason for apples to end up in the pick-out bin. At the local orchard we buy bushels of pick-outs for our horses. I’m stopping this morning at the orchard for cider, and I’ll drop the term “russeting”. ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-honeycrisp-apples/847791/60 "2020-02-13T12:55:59Z")
> [@Quimby](#): > > They taste much better than many other types of apples. They are more expensive because people growing it have to pay a license to the creators of the strain. Why would they have to do that? The patent expired almost ten years ago (at least in the US). Perhaps the name “Honeycrisp” is trademarked, though that wouldn’t prevent anyone from growing and selling the apples under a different name. Around here the apples are marketed as “Honeycrunch”, which I suppose could be someone’s way of sidestepping the trademark issue. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-honeycrisp-apples/847791.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-get-honeycrisp-apples/847791.md?page=4)