Michigan Apples
Michigan’s apple growers produce more than a billion pounds of apples each year, making the state one of the top apple-producing regions in the country. While hundreds of apple varieties flourish in Michigan’s orchards—including rare heirloom and antique types—only a select few are chosen for commercial production due to their exceptional flavor, hardiness, and consumer demand.
From crisp and juicy to sweet and tart, Michigan apples offer a flavor for every preference. Whether you love fresh apples for snacking, baking, or cooking, explore the diverse selection of apples grown in Michigan’s ideal climate.
Apples from Sweet to Tart
MICHIGAN APPLE VARIETIES FOR EVERY TASTE
Michigan’s apple orchards are home to a rich variety of apples that cater to different palates. With flavors ranging from lusciously sweet to refreshingly tart, these apples are perfect for fresh eating, baking, making cider, or incorporating into your favorite recipes. Explore 16 of the most popular Michigan apple varieties and find the perfect one for your next snack or dish.
Michigan Braeburn Apple
Braeburn apples are celebrated for their complex and well-balanced flavor, featuring a mix of sweetness and a slight tartness, with underlying hints of spice. Originally discovered as a chance seedling in New Zealand, this variety thrives in Michigan’s cool autumn climate, which enhances its crisp texture and vibrant taste. The firm flesh and rich flavor profile make Braeburn apples ideal for baking, cooking, or enjoying fresh.
Michigan Cortland Apple
A descendant of the McIntosh apple, Cortland apples have a subtly tart flavor with a hint of sweetness, making them a versatile favorite for desserts. Known for their bright white flesh, Cortlands are slow to brown after being cut, making them an excellent choice for fruit salads and fresh-cut apple slices. Their juicy, slightly tangy taste also makes them a great option for baking and applesauce.
Michigan Empire Apple
Empire apples are a cross between McIntosh and Red Delicious, resulting in a crisp, juicy apple with a balanced sweet-tart flavor. Their firm texture makes them an excellent choice for fresh eating, salads, and caramel or candy apples. Thanks to their natural resistance to bruising, they’re also a perfect addition to lunchboxes or snack platters.
Michigan EverCrisp Apple
One of the newer apple varieties, EverCrisp® is a cross between the Honeycrisp and Fuji apples. It lives up to its name with a remarkably crisp texture and a perfect blend of sweetness and juiciness. EverCrisp® apples store exceptionally well and maintain their crunch for months, making them a fantastic option for snacking, holiday recipes, and fruit baskets.
Michigan Fuji Apple
Originally developed in Japan, Fuji apples are beloved for their intensely sweet flavor, dense flesh, and crisp texture. These apples are excellent for fresh eating, fruit salads, and adding natural sweetness to baked goods. Fuji apples also store well, maintaining their signature crunch and juiciness for weeks.
Michigan Gala Apple
A fan favorite, Gala apples have a crisp texture and a mellow, sweet flavor. Their thin skin and juicy bite make them an excellent choice for snacking, lunchboxes, and salads. As Michigan’s third most popular apple variety, Galas are a staple in homes and markets across the state.
Michigan Golden Delicious Apple
Golden Delicious apples are known for their mild, honeyed sweetness and smooth, golden skin. These apples are highly versatile—perfect for eating fresh, baking into pies, or making applesauce. Their balanced flavor and creamy texture make them a favorite among chefs and home bakers alike.
Michigan Honeycrisp Apple
Famous for its exceptional crunch and balance of sweetness and tartness, Honeycrisp apples have become a favorite among apple lovers. Originally developed in Minnesota, these apples thrive in Michigan’s climate, delivering a refreshing burst of flavor with every bite. They are ideal for snacking, salads, and a variety of culinary uses, from baking to cider-making.
Michigan Ida Red Apple
With its tangy and tart flavor, the Ida Red apple is a versatile variety that can be enjoyed fresh or used in baking. Its crisp, white flesh holds up well in pies, crisps, and sauces, making it a great choice for fall desserts. This apple also pairs well with cheese, adding a bold contrast to cheese boards and charcuterie platters.
Michigan Jonagold Apple
Jonagold apples offer a dynamic flavor profile, combining the crispness of a Jonathan apple with the sweetness of a Golden Delicious. These large, aromatic apples are highly rated for their excellent taste and versatility. Whether eaten fresh, baked into pies, or made into applesauce, Jonagold apples provide a deliciously sweet-tart experience.
Michigan Jonathan Apple
Jonathan apples are known for their bright red skin and rich, tangy-sweet flavor. Their crisp texture makes them a great addition to desserts, sauces, and fresh fruit salads. When paired with other apple varieties, Jonathan apples add a hint of spiciness that enhances the depth of baked goods and cider.
Michigan McIntosh Apple
A classic favorite, McIntosh apples are soft, juicy, and bursting with a sweet-tart flavor. Their tender flesh makes them ideal for applesauce, cider, and baked dishes where a softer apple is preferred. McIntosh apples break down beautifully when cooked, adding depth and richness to apple-based recipes.
Michigan Northern Spy Apple
A top choice for professional bakers, Northern Spy apples are known for their tart, slightly acidic taste and firm texture. This variety ripens late in the season and stores exceptionally well, retaining its flavor for months. It’s a go-to apple for making pies, applesauce, and classic apple crisps.
Michigan Paula Red Apple
Discovered in Sparta, Michigan, Paula Red apples are an early-season variety available from late summer through early fall. With a mildly tart flavor and tender, juicy texture, they are a favorite for back-to-school snacking and cooking. These apples soften when cooked, making them perfect for applesauce.
Michigan Red Delicious Apple
Recognized for its deep red color and signature elongated shape, Red Delicious apples are among the most well-known apple varieties. With a mildly sweet flavor and crisp yet tender texture, they are perfect for fresh eating and salads. Their striking appearance also makes them a popular choice for fruit displays and decorative arrangements.
Michigan Rome Apple
Large, round, and firm, Rome apples have a mildly sweet taste that intensifies when cooked. They hold their shape beautifully, making them ideal for baking whole, roasting, or adding to hearty fall recipes. This variety is a classic choice for pies and crisps.
More Michigan Apple Varieties You May Know
Didn’t see your favorite Michigan apple? With hundreds of varieties growing across the state, new types are gaining popularity each season. Here are a few more delicious Michigan-grown apples to try:
- Ambrosia – Honey-sweet with a fruity aroma and naturally low acidity.
- Cripps Pink (Pink Lady®) – A crisp, effervescent apple with a sweet-tart flavor.
- SweeTango® – A Honeycrisp cross with a bold, juicy crunch and a sweet-tart balance.
- Smitten® – A newer variety with a refreshing crunch and rich sweetness.
What Are Managed Apple Varieties?
Managed or club apple varieties are carefully cultivated apples grown exclusively by select orchards to ensure consistency and quality. Some popular managed varieties from Michigan include EverCrisp®, SweeTango®, Smitten®, and Kiku®.
No matter your preference, Michigan apples offer something for everyone. Find your favorite variety and enjoy the fresh, crisp taste of apples grown in the heart of the Great Lakes region!