Honeycrisp apples are one of the most grown varieties in the world. In terms of appearance, they have a yellow background with pink or red blush.
Additionally, they are speckled with small lenticels.
The flesh of Honeycrisp apples is creamy white in color. It has a crisp texture and is very aromatic.
If you have been curious about how Honeycrisp apples taste like, this article is for you.
We’ll discuss all you need to know about Honeycrisp apples including the history, what they taste like, where to buy them, seasons, uses, and suitable substitutes.
Honeycrisp apple history
The origin of Honeycrisp apples can be traced back to Minnesota. They were first developed in 1960 but were introduced to the market in the 1990s.
Honeycrisp apples were developed because there was a need to create an apple variety that could withstand the cold Minnesota weather.
Honeycrisp apples have continued to gain popularity since their introduction to the market in 1990. Currently, it thrives in both cold and warm climates.
In the United States, it is grown in California, Minnesota, Michigan, New England, Washington state, and Wisconsin.
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What do they taste like?
Honeycrisp apples have the perfect balance of sugar and acid.
Therefore, they have a sweet-tart flavor that is loved by many. The intensity of flavor of Honeycrisp apples varies depending on the maturity of the apple.
Honeycrisp apples taste amazing because they are the juiciest apple variety. The juiciness is attributed to the large cells of the apples.
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Where to buy them
You can buy Honeycrisp apples at farmers’ markets or grocery stores. If you are lucky enough to live close to an orchard, you can find them there.
It is important to note that Honeycrisp apples are more expensive compared to other varieties.
You will spend way more than you usually spend on apples if you choose to buy this variety, but I promise you it will be worth every coin.
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When are they in season?
These amazing apples are usually in season between April and September.
I recommend buying them between April and June because they are usually so flavorful when they have been freshly harvested.
Remember to keep Honeycrisp apples fresh by storing them in your refrigerator or a cool dry place.
How to use Honeycrisp apples
- Snack on them
I absolutely love snacking on Honeycrisp apples. The flavor and texture are just perfect. My kids love snacking on them too.
- Juice them
You can juice Honeycrisp apples for a refreshing homemade drink. The juice always turns out amazing.
- Add them to your salads
If you are looking for an ingredient that will add freshness and extra crunch to your salad, Honeycrisp apples are the answer. They are a perfect addition to salads.
- Add them to your coleslaw
Yes, apples are a great addition to coleslaw. Their crunchy texture complements carrots and cabbage and the tangy flavor makes the coleslaw even yummier. Honeycrisp apples also add a certain freshness to coleslaw.
- Use them in baking
You can use Honeycrisp apples in your baking. I like using them when baking apple pies, cinnamon roll-filled apples, and muffins.
- In cooking
Honeycrisp apples have always come in handy whenever I am in the mood of making tasty pancakes for breakfast. They give pancakes a nice crunch and a little bit extra sweetness. I also add them to my stuffing for an enhanced flavor.
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Honeycrisp apple substitutes
I am a big fan of Honeycrisp apples but let’s face it, they are really pricy. The good news is that you can still enjoy the goodness of Honeycrisp apples without hurting your wallet too much by simply using suitable substitutes.
There are apple varieties that are less pricy and they still give you the great qualities that Honeycrisp apples give you. Here are some of the substitutes that you can use in place of Honeycrisp apples.
- SweeTango
SweeTango is an ideal substitute mostly because it is a close relative of Honeycrisp. Its origin can be traced back to Minnesota. I love this substitute because its flavor is a perfect balance between sweet and tangy.
I suggest snacking on SweeTango as opposed to baking because it tends to lose its flavor when cooked or baked.
- Ambrosia
Ambrosia is one of the best Honeycrisp substitutes. It is slightly pink and yellow in color and it is naturally glossy. Ambrosia has a honey-sweet flavor that is irresistible.
You can substitute Honeycrisp with Ambrosia in salads, juices, desserts, and even regular snacking since it is an all-purpose apple.
- Pink Lady
Pink Lady is a very popular variety and I can bet you have either used it or seen it in grocery stores near you multiple times. These apples have a perfectly round shape and are bright colored. They are also very crunchy.
I suggest substituting Honeycrisp with Pink Lady in snacking and baking. It has a sweet flavor that makes it ideal to snack on and a texture that holds up well to heat.
- Jazz
Anyone that knows me knows how much I love jazz apples. They are a cross between Gala and Braeburn. Just like Honeycrisp, they are crunchy and slightly fizzy. Their sharp sweet-tart flavor is also quite similar to that of Honeycrisp.
Use jazz apples as a Honeycrisp substitute in salads, juices, desserts, and even regular snacking.
- Enterprise
In case you do not have any of the substitutes we have discussed above, you can always use Enterprise apples. They are crunchy, crispy, sweet, and do not have that sour taste that most varieties have.
In case you are looking for a variety you can snack on, this substitute is a great option.
Conclusion
There is no better feeling than biting into a crunchy, juicy apple that has a sweet-tart flavor.
Despite their being expensive, people still buy Honeycrisp apples, so that should tell you just how good they are.
If you have never tried Honeycrisp apples, you are missing out. But be warned, you just might become an addict to Honeycrisp apples because they leave you wanting more.