Honeycrisp™
Available as:
Stemilt & Artisan Organics
Facts of Interest:
Honeycrisp was first crossed in 1960 by researchers at the University of Minnesota. The variety is a cross between the Macoun and Honeygold apples (Honeygold is a cross between Golden Delicious and Haralson). The Minnesota researchers did many trials before selecting the final variety cross. Their research consisted of old-fashioned cross-pollination in which the pollen of the Macoun flower was brushed by hand against that of a Honeygold flower. By doing this the researchers not only discovered a grower-friendly variety, but they also found a great-tasting apple that became a favorite of many American consumers.
Honeycrisp was introduced to the commercial market in 1991. As Honeycrisp has gained fame and notoriety, more growers have begun planting the apple. Honeycrisp is exceptionally crunchy and juicy, and its sweet-tart flavor makes it a great fresh-eating apple.
Honeycrisp is a patented variety, so growers must obtain a license to grow the apple.
Characteristics
Appearance:
Blushed scarlet over a yellow background
Texture & Firmness:
Crisp & snappy
Internal Character:
Creamy white
Flavor:
Juicy, sweet and instantly refreshing
Shape:
Oblate to roundly oblate
Size:
Large
Uses:
Excellent fresh or in salads
Artisan Organics is Stemilt Growers’ banner for organic tree fruits. This label adorns all packaging and price look-up stickers on Stemilt’s organic apples, pears, cherries, and stone fruits.
We began major investments in organic tree fruit production back in 1989. That’s when Stemilt founder Tom Mathison launched his Responsible Choice program, urging growers and company managers to look for ways to conserve natural resources and reduce synthetic materials in all our growing and packing operations.
Since that year, Stemilt has become a national leader in organic tree fruit production and packing:
• Artisan Organics are grown with tree and soil balance in mind.
• Natural tree and soil balance encourages the orchards’ innate defenses, creating tastier fruit that needs no synthetic fertilizers.
• Artisan Organics are farmed 100% organically so there is no residue on the fruit.
• Artisan Organics come from modern orchards that use the latest growing and harvesting techniques.
Stemilt’s Artisan Organics are grown with extreme care. See and taste the difference that our natural farming methods produce.
Check out our Organic Leader page to learn how we grow and pack organic fruit and what makes Stemilt a standout in the organic field!
Stemilt’s World Famous apples are terrific for many reasons. The first is the area’s perfect conditions for producing apples. Central Washington has the sunny days, cool nights, plentiful water, and nutrient-rich soils that apples need to be super-flavorful. But that’s not the only reason Stemilt’s apples are great.
Generations of apple-growing expertise and endless quality checks have produced only the best fruit. Tom Mathison, Stemilt’s founder, has made sure that flavor comes first when it comes to Stemilt apples. Today, Stemilt’s field advisors also work hand-in-hand with growers so every apple meets Tom’s strict flavor expectations. Look for Stemilt’s Artisan Organics apples too. They’re naturally-farmed to perfection!