This masterpost serves as a reference guide for identifying various apple varieties based on their distinctive characteristics. When the specific variety is unknown, descriptions focus on appearance and physical traits.

To earn a 5.0 rating for taste, an apple should:

• Balance sweetness and acidity perfectly, delivering a vibrant, full-bodied apple flavour.
• Offer layers of complexity, with subtle undertones such as floral, honeyed, or spiced notes.
• Be refreshing, with a clean finish that avoids any lingering bitterness or overly sour aftertaste.
• Evoke comparisons to other fruits or aromatic flavours while remaining distinctly apple in essence.

To earn a 5.0 rating for texture, the apple should:

• Have a crisp, firm flesh that is juicy and not mealy or spongy.
• Feature a skin that is thin but not tough or overly astringent, making it easy to bite through.
• Maintain a satisfying crunch, with each bite releasing a burst of juice.
• Be free from excessive stringiness or fibrousness in the flesh.

Ambrosia

Appearance: Large apple, over 8 cm in diameter, with a red-blushed skin on a yellow background. The flesh has a creamy yellow hue.

• Taste: 4.5 – Sweet, almost floral aroma with a bright apple flavour and a juicy burst of intense honeyed sweetness. Pairs well with tart or savoury elements for contrast.
• Texture: 5.0 – Light, crisp, and juicy, offering a smooth texture with a satisfying crunch that makes it a standout variety worth repurchasing.

Bravo

Appearance: Striking burgundy skin with a size of 75–85 mm in diameter. The flesh is creamy off-white.

• Taste: 5.0 – Fresh apple scent with vibrant apple flavour, followed by a juicy sweetness balanced by subtle acidity, which sets it apart from Ambrosia.
• Texture: 5.0 – Smooth texture with a satisfying, crisp crunch.

Cosmic Crisp

Appearance: A relatively new variety, known for its deep red colour and large size, developed in Washington state.

• Taste: 4.0 – Juicy with notable tartness and very little sweetness, delivering a fresh, clean taste.
• Texture: 5.0 – Super crisp and firm.

Dazzle

Appearance: A yellow-orange base overlaid with a vibrant crimson blush that varies from bright to dark red. Prominent yellow lenticels dot its surface.

• Taste: 4.0 – The flavour is mild, sweet, and neutral, reminiscent of a nashi pear. Its high sugar content and low acidity make it approachable but lacking in complexity.
• Texture: 5.0 – The flesh is exceptionally crisp and juicy, mirroring the texture of a nashi pear and enhancing the overall eating experience.

Envy

Appearance: Bright red and green hues with a round, slightly flattened shape, a cross between Gala and Braeburn.

• Taste: 4.5 – Vibrant sweetness with no real acidity, similar to Japanese apple varieties like Shinano Gold or Yello.
• Texture: 5.0 – Crisp, crunchy, and juicy, though not as light as Yello.

Eve

Appearance: Red blush over a yellow base, medium-sized apple.

• Taste: 3.0 – Dominantly tart with minimal sweetness, making it quite sour.
• Texture: 2.5 – Lacks a good crunch, with a mealy texture.

Fuji

Appearance: Large, round apple with a pinkish-red hue and yellow undertones.

• Taste: 3.5 – Sweet with almost no acidity, resulting in a mild flavour.
• Texture: 3.5 – Crisp but not as crunchy or juicy as other varieties.

Golden Delicious

Appearance: Pale yellow-green skin, medium to large size.

• Taste: 2.5 – Mellow sweetness with very little acidity, offering a rather ordinary flavour.
• Texture: 2.5 – Moderate crunch, but lacks the crispness of more popular varieties.

Granny Smith

Appearance: Bright green skin, medium to large size, with a firm texture.

• Taste: 4.0 – Highly tart, ideal for baking due to its strong acidity.
• Texture: 3.5 – Crunchy but not as crisp as other apples tried.

Jazz

Appearance: Striking blend of red and yellow skin, medium to large in size.

• Taste: 4.0 – Notable acidity with some sweetness. Juicy with a refreshing effervescent finish.
• Texture: 4.5 – Exceptional crunch, more so than other varieties, making it audibly crisp.

Kanzi

Appearance: Medium-sized apple with a bright red blush over a yellow base.

• Taste: 4.0 – Bright acidity with subtle sweetness, delivering a balanced apple flavour.
• Texture: 3.5 – More of a soft crunch, not as crisp as other apples.

Kissabel Berry

Appearance: Burgundy skin with bold red flesh.

• Taste: 4.5 – The red flesh has a sweet, berry-like quality, while the yellow parts taste like a regular Gala. Strong acidity with complex flavours.
• Texture: 4.0 – Varies in crispness, with some apples having a mealy texture, but generally crunchy.

Miapple

Appearance: Very large, round apple with a pale yellow-green skin.

• Taste: 3.0 – Sweet with some acidity, but a very standard apple flavour.
• Texture: 3.0 – Not particularly crunchy or juicy.

Lemonade

Appearance: Medium sized apple with smooth yellow skin and cream interior

• Taste: 2.5 – tasted closer to a standard Golden Delicious than more aromatic modern yellow cultivars such as Shinano Gold / Yello.
• Texture: 2.5 – texture lacked the crispness expected of premium dessert apples, while the flavour was comparatively restrained and not especially aromatic.

Modi

Appearance: Medium-sized with a deep red skin and yellow undertones.

• Taste: 3.0 – Moderate sweetness and acidity, but unremarkable.
• Texture: 3.5 – Moderate crunch, though not consistently crisp.

Ōrin

Appearance: Pale yellow to golden skin, sometimes with a faint green undertone. The skin is smooth and slightly waxy, while the flesh is white and dense. It is considered a precursor to many modern yellow apple varieties and is well-regarded in Japan for its unique flavour profile.

• Taste: 4.5 – The Ōrin apple is distinguished by its floral sweetness, offering a depth of flavour that sets it apart from other yellow apples. It has minimal acidity, resulting in a mild, honeyed profile with delicate pear-like and tropical notes.
• Texture: 3.0 – The apple has a soft bite with minimal crunch, better described as pulpy yet not quite mealy. While it lacks the crisp snap of firmer varieties, its juicy consistency makes it enjoyable for those who prefer a more tender texture.

Pink Lady

Appearance: Bright pink skin with white flesh, known for being slow to oxidise.

• Taste: 4.0 – Sweet-tart with high sugar and acid content, offering a crisp bite and refreshing finish.
• Texture: 4.5 – Crisp, firm flesh with a notable tartness and mellow sweetness. Effervescent finish with a great crunch.

Red Delicious

Appearance: Classic deep red skin, often with a glossy finish.

• Taste: 4.0 – Tastes like apple juice, sweet with a basic apple flavour.
• Texture: 3.0 – Soft and mealy, lacking a crisp crunch.

Rockitt

Appearance: Small-sized apple with bright red skin, perfect for snacking.

• Taste: 5.0 – Bright sweetness with minimal acidity. Surprisingly juicy for its small size.
• Texture: 5.0 – Super crunchy and crisp.

Royal Gala

Appearance: Round apple with red streaks over a yellow base. Flesh is ivory to cream-coloured.

• Taste: 4.5 – Bright sweetness with subtle acidity throughout.
• Texture: 3.5 – Moderately crunchy, but not as crisp as varieties like Pink Lady.

Shinano Gold (Yello)

Appearance: Large, golden-yellow apple, a cross between Golden Delicious and Senshu.

• Taste: 5.0 – Very sweet with subtle acidity, juicy with a rich apple flavour and honey undertones. Would buy again.
• Texture: 5.0 – Super crisp and crunchy, with a great juicy quality.

Strawberry Apple

Appearance: This is a hybrid variety, featuring a rosy blush over a yellow-green base, resembling a blend of a strawberry’s vibrancy with an apple’s classic shape.

• Taste: 3.0 – A bold acidity takes centre stage, complemented by a subtle floral rose quality. The flavour evoked a blend between a raspberry or underripe strawberry and an apple.
• Texture: 2.0 – The texture was disappointing, with most samples being mealy and lacking the crispness one expects from an apple. Only a few were moderately crunchy, but even those fell short of being juicy or satisfying.

Smitten

Appearance: Medium-sized, red skin with yellow highlights.

• Taste: 2.5 – Lacks strong apple flavour, with minimal sweetness and notable acidity.
• Texture: 3.0 – Soft crunch, not particularly crisp or crunchy.

Snap Dragon

Appearance: Medium-sized apple with bright red skin.

• Taste: 4.0 – Balanced sweetness and acidity with a good apple flavour.
• Texture: 4.5 – Crisp and crunchy, living up to its name with a snappy texture.