Apple lovers express fierce loyalty to specific varieties. A recent social media poll asking people to name their favorite apple revealed strong opinions and preferences. “Honeycrisp cannot be replaced,” one user declared. Another wrote, “Cosmic crisp, all day every day. Apparently I have strong apple opinions.”
The informal poll received 118 responses. Honeycrisp was the most mentioned, with 39 votes. Other top choices included Cosmic Crisp and Gala. Some respondents were flexible. One person named Wild Twist as their favorite but said they would buy “whatever local mutts the co-op has” if it wasn’t available.
Texture Trumps All
Texture is a major factor for many apple fans. People praised varieties for being crisp and juicy. They expressed a strong dislike for mushy or mealy apples. Red Delicious inspired the most hate. Several respondents said they would rather buy another fruit, go to another store, or leave empty-handed than choose a different apple.
The two most popular varieties in the poll are related. Cosmic Crisp, developed by Washington State University, is a cross between Honeycrisp and Enterprise. SweeTango, developed at the University of Minnesota, combines Honeycrisp with Zestar! The exclamation point is part of the apple‘s name.
A New Standard for Apples
Honeycrisp’s introduction in 1991 changed apple breeding. According to David Bedford, a research scientist at the University of Minnesota, it set a new standard. “The response from consumers made it clear that new apple varieties in the future would need to have a crisp and juicy texture like Honeycrisp if they were to be successful in the marketplace,” Bedford said.
Read Also: Convenience stores see growth and innovation
Developing such an apple is a long process. The breeding process can take up to 20 years. Only a small number of candidates are selected. “Our team chooses the best parents to hybridize and then spends autumn each year tasting through the offspring,” said Matthew Clark, an associate professor at the university. “They select just 1-2% to advance, but only if they have that crispy juicy texture, and good flavor.”
From Farm to Brand
This loyalty is reflected in how apples are marketed. SweeTango is the trademarked brand name for the Minneiska variety. It has a managed growing program with licensing and quality standards. Cosmic Crisp is similarly marketed under its own brand name, though its variety is known as WA 38.
There is a financial incentive to differentiate varieties. A study published in Agribusiness found that patented or trademarked “club apples” held an average price premium of roughly 29% over traditional varieties from 2008-18. However, that premium declined over time. Consumers value desirable eating characteristics over exclusivity alone. For many growers, the payoff is worth the long wait. John Jacobson of Minnesota-based Pine Tree Apple Orchard recalled being impressed when he first tasted SweeTango in 2006. “SweeTango now competes with Honeycrisp as the most desired apple we sell,” he said.
Marketers have also created fictional personalities for apple varieties to help shoppers distinguish them. The Michigan Apple Committee recently partnered with a marketing agency to develop personas for 12 apple types. Honeycrisp was portrayed as a high-maintenance pop star, reflecting the extra care it requires from growers. For many shoppers, however, these strong preferences mean they don’t need much help telling their favorite apples apart.