The Apple Encyclopedia
With so many varieties to choose from, it can be a challenge to find the perfect apple. Our Orchard Experts have curated a list of the apple varieties grown at Jollay Orchards and included their harvest season, flavor profile, and best uses. If you need more information, feel free to contact us or check our social media for seasonal updates.
Like many things, apple varieties are a matter of personal taste, but the best part of U-Pick is the built in sampling! A tree ripened apple can taste totally different from the same variety in a grocery store, so you may find a new favorite while picking in the orchard. For baking, it is typically best to use a blend of apples for a more complex flavor and texture. Explore below to learn more about some of the popular varieties that we grow at Jollay Orchards.
Mollie's Delicious
Early September
Sweet - Eating - Soft
Our first variety of the season, Mollie's Delicious ripens in late August to early September. With a sweet flavor and soft texture, it is a nice eating apple and makes great apple sauce. Mollie's have a yellow/green undertone with red blush.
McIntosh
Mid-September
Sweet - Baking - Soft
The McIntosh is a classic apple variety and a great option for eating, baking, or making apple sauce for its softer flesh and tart flavor. They have a green undertone with deep red blush.
Swiss Gourmet (Arlet)
Early September
Sweet/Tart - Eating - Crisp
Swiss Gourmet are a lesser known family favorite. They have a sweet-tart taste and are great for eating or slicing for salads.
Gala
September
Sweet - Eating - Crisp
Gala are a familiar favorite for their sweet flavor, nice crunch, and kid friendly size. Great for school lunches or snacks.
Honey Crisp
Early September
Sweet - Eating - Crisp
Honeycrisp are famous for a reason! Their super sweet flavor and incredibly crisp crunch make them the perfect choice for fresh eating. They are also good as part of a blend in baking as they hold their shape well when cooked.
Cortland
Early September
Tart - Baking - Soft
A cousin of the McIntosh, Cortland are similarly great for baking or making apple sauce due to their soft texture and tart flavor.
Fuji
September - October
Sweet - Eating - Soft
Early and Late varieties means Fuji are available fresh from the tree almost all fall. They have a sweet flavor and soften while baking. They are great for eating if a softer texture is preferred.
Jonathan
Mid September - Mid October
Spicy? - Baking - Soft
Described as having a tart flavor with a spicy tang, the Jonathan is a soft, juicy apple that's great for baking or making cider.
Cameo
Late September - October
Sweet/Tart - Eating - Crisp
Cameo is a lesser-known variety with a nice sweet-tart flavor and good crisp texture. They make a great apple for eating fresh.
Red Delicious
October
Sweet - Eating - Soft
Not your grocery store Red Delicious! Tree ripened Red Delicious are a soft, sweet, very juicy apple. Picking them at peak ripeness is the key to good flavor, but they make good eating apples and are great for cider.
Golden Delicious
Late September - October
Sweet - Eating - Crisp
Golden Delicious are a great late season apple with a crisp skin, sweet flavor, and good crunch. They are great for eating and baking as they hold up well to heat without getting mushy.
Granny Smith
October
Tart - Baking - Crisp
One of the most popular tart apples, the Granny Smith is great for baking (especially in a caramel apple) and snacking if you are looking for a sour flavor. They have a crisp flesh and unmistakable green skin.
Mutsu (Crispin)
October
Sweet/Tart - Eating - Crisp
The Mutsu is a great versatile apple with a sweet-tart flavor and crisp flesh. It's great for baking or as a late season eating apple.
Arkasas Black
October
Sweet - Storage - Soft
A weird little apple, the Arkansas Black is a deep red, almost purple, apple that was intended to be a storage apple. It has a bland flavor when picked off the tree, but is said to sweeten when stored in the fridge for a month or more!