They say a hybrid apple a day keeps the doctor away. Well, that’s not exactly the saying, but chances are, your favorite apple is probably a hybrid. These apples are a cross between two apples and are created in one of two ways: cross-breeding or chance seedlings. Cross breeding is performed on purpose to create a specific kind of apple, whereas chance seedlings happen by chance when apples are grown in the field. Normally, it takes around 18-20 years to successfully make a cross-breed apple that can be sold on our shelves.

Why Do Hybrids Exist?

Hybrid apples are grown for a few reasons: taste, color and stability. The taste is usually the most important factor, since the apples pull their taste from their parentage. It’s not uncommon for two apples on opposite ends of the spectrum, like tart and sweet, to pull together to create a mid-range apple. Our hybrid apples are natural crosses and non-GMO, so you can enjoy them without worrying about being genetically modified. From Honeycrisps to Fujis to Galas, we’re breaking down our favorite hybrid apples.

Apple Varieties

Honeycrisp:

Taste- Crisp, sweet, a little tart and very juicy
Look-  Yellow background with a blushing scarlet overlay
Cross between- Sweet Keepsake apple and mildly sweet apple that was never named
Origin- They were discovered in 1960 after being a part of a breeding program at the University of Minnesota and hit shelves in grocery stores across the country in 1991.

Gala:

Taste- Sweet
Look- Red blush coloring
Cross between- Sweet Kidd’s Orange apple and sweet Golden Delicious apples
Origin- They were discovered in 1934 in New Zealand and introduced to us commercially in the 1970s. Their sweet flavoring has made them one of the most popular apples across the world.

Fuji:

Taste- Crunchy, sweet
Look-  Slight red blush and red stripes
Cross between-  Mildly sweet Red Delicious apple and sweet Ralls Janet apples
Origin- They originated in Japan in the 1930s and were introduced to the US in 1962. Most believe these apples were named after Mt. Fuji, but they were named after the town they were created in, Fujisaki, Japan.

Ambrosia:

Taste- Sweet and honey-like
Look- A fluorescent pink blush and creamy yellow bi-coloring
Cross between- Sweet Golden Delicious apple and sweet Starking Delicious apple
Origin- These apples were discovered in Canada as a chance seedling in 1987. The first time the public saw these apples was during an apple festival in Vancouver.

Pink Lady:

Taste– Sweet and tart
Look- Pinky, blushed exteriors
Cross between- Sweet Golden Delicious apple and tart and mildly sweet Lady Williams apple
Origin- These apples originated in 1973 in Australia and made their way to the US by the late 1990s.

Evercrisp:

New to our stores! Make sure to check out the latest hybrid apple, the Evercrisp. This apple is a cross between a Honeycrisp and Fuji apple. Pick up this sweet apple at your local store for the perfect snack.

If you love apples, we have lots of great recipes for you to try! Which apple is your favorite? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!