9 Apple Varieties You Need to Know

By Food & Wine
Updated May 09, 2019
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Credit: Photo © Clare Barboza
After the very first American apple, the Roxbury Russet, appeared outside Boston around 1630, there grew to be an estimated 7,098 varieties of the fruit available in United States. Over the years, however, many have gone out of fashion or been almost lost. In his new book, "Apples of Uncommon Character," writer Rowan Jacobsen rediscovers our country’s apple diversity: He personally tasted 500 varieties of the fruit to see what all of us have been missing (a lot, apparently). —Yaran Noti
Start Slideshow

1 of 9

Hidden Rose

Credit: Photo © Clare Barboza

Pink-fleshed, it tastes like berries.

Apples of Uncommon Character: Heirlooms, Modern Classics, and Little-Known Wonders

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 9

Cox’s Orange Pippin

Credit: Photo © Clare Barboza
Go to Recipe

Born in England in 1825 and generally considered the best-tasting apple ever, with citrus and pineapple notes.

3 of 9

Chestnut Crabapple

Credit: Photo © Clare Barboza
Go to Recipe

It’s small, incredibly crisp, caramel-y and sweet—like a graham cracker with a touch of lemon.

Advertisement

4 of 9

Esopus Spitzenberg

Credit: Photo © Clare Barboza
Go to Recipe

Very sweet and very tart, it carries a powerful one-two punch. It was Thomas Jefferson’s favorite.

5 of 9

Golden Russet

Credit: Photo © Clare Barboza
Go to Recipe

Classic example of a russet, with brown, sandpapery skin, it is very firm and has a nutty flavor.

6 of 9

GoldRush

Credit: Photo © Clare Barboza
Go to Recipe

Amazingly firm, with lots of acid, making it perfect for pie.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 9

Black Oxford

Credit: Photo © Clare Barboza
Go to Recipe

It looks like a plum—small and purple—and has a unique, spiced-pear flavor. There is a Black Oxford tree in Hallowell, Maine, that is 215 years old.

8 of 9

Calville Blanc

Credit: Photo © Clare Barboza
Go to Recipe

Ribbed like a quince, it is very firm and very tart and considered the best tarte Tatin apple in Normandy.

9 of 9

Pixie Crunch

Credit: Photo © Clare Barboza
Go to Recipe

Like a pint-size Honeycrisp, it is half the size and twice as sweet.

Apples of Uncommon Character: Heirlooms, Modern Classics, and Little-Known Wonders

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Up Next

By Food & Wine