
Take Your Pick
Apple Varieties

Virginia Apple Varieties
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Empire • Fuji • Gala • Ginger Gold • Golden Delicious • Granny Smith •

Click on each apple below to learn more about the apple variety!
( please note: not all apple varieties have further information )
Thanks to Virginia's geographically diverse climate, landscape and agricultural regions, apple season begins in late July and peaks in October and November, with apple festivals and on-farm events taking place across the Commonwealth. Consumers can continue to source Virginia Apples at local markets, farm stands, and farmers' markets through April.

Cripps Pink (Pink Lady)
Crunchy texture and tart taste with a sweet finish. Ideal for fresh, out-of-hand eating. Also delicious in purees, salads and deserts, including pies and tarts.
Best used for:
Pie, Salad, Sauce, Baking
​
Orchard Availability:
November

Empire
McIntosh apple crossed with Red Delicious for unique taste. Crisp and excellent for snacks, desserts or salads.
Best used for:
Pie, Salad, Sauce, Baking
​
Orchard Availability:
September
Very firm and unusually sweet. Red and green with stripes. First discovered in Japan- a new favorite here.
Best used for:
Pie, Salad, Sauce, Baking
​
Orchard Availability:
November
Sweet and very flavorful with orange striped skin and yellow flesh. A new favorite for snacks and salads.
Best used for:
Salad, Sauce
​
Orchard Availability:
August
Outstanding early season apple, fresh from the orchard. Sweet, juicy and firm.
Best used for:
Pie, Salad, Sauce, Baking
​
Orchard Availability:
August
Sweet and mellow. Excellent for snacking, salads and cooking purposes.
Best used for:
Pie, Salad, Sauce, Baking
​
Orchard Availability:
September
The famous green apple. Very firm, tart and juicy. Excellent for eating fresh and cooking purposes, especially pies.
Best used for:
Pie, Salad, Sauce, Baking
​
Orchard Availability:
October

Honeycrisp
A popular pick for eating fresh out-of-hand. These hardy, ultra crisp and juicy apples have a honey sweet and tart flavor.
Best used for:
Pie, Salad, Sauce, Baking
​
Orchard Availability:
August
Moderately tart. Delicious for snacking, salads and cooking.
Best used for:
Pie, Salad, Sauce, Baking
​
Orchard Availability:
September

Jonagold
Firm, sweet and great for pies. Offers a unique honey-tart flavor and crispy, juicy, nearly yellow flesh.
Best used for:
Pie, Salad, Sauce, Baking
​
Orchard Availability:
September

McIntosh
Juicy and slightly tart. Great for eating fresh and baking.
Best used for:
Pie, Salad, Sauce, Baking
​
Orchard Availability:
August
Sweet and juicy. A favorite for snacks and salads.
Best for eating fresh out of hand.
Best used for:
Salad
​
Orchard Availability:
September
Firm and slightly tart, the Rome is one of the best cooking apples. Perfect for pies, cakes, breads, cookies, stuffing, and quiche. Choice apple when making baked apples.
Best used for:
Pie, Sauce, Baking
​
Orchard Availability:
October
Firm, rich flavor and mildly tart. Great all-purpose apple.
Best used for:
Pie, Salad, Sauce, Baking
​
Orchard Availability:
October
Rich red, crisp, and juicy inside. Excellent for eating fresh and cooking purposes. Great tasting and lasts long.
Best used for:
Pie, Salad, Sauce, Baking
​
Orchard Availability:
November
Crisp, firm and tart. Excellent for eating fresh and cooking purposes.
Best used for:
Pie, Salad, Sauce, Baking
​
Orchard Availability:
October
