Good fruit begins long before the harvest.
Here at Gilchrist, we grow a collection of apples, from familiar Minnesota favorites to lesser-known varieties with stories all their own. Some are sweet, some are tart, some are best enjoyed right off the tree, and others make a wonderful pie or cider.
Each has its own season, character, and place in the orchard. We hope you'll enjoy getting to know them as much as we have.
The Apples We Grow
From familiar Minnesota favorites to lesser-known varieties with stories all their own. Each apple has its own season, character, and place in our orchard.
| Apple Variety | Harvest Season | Flavor & Texture | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Kiss | Mid-Aug – Early Sep | Bright, crisp, sweet-tart | Fresh eating, salads |
| Zestar! | Late Aug – Early Sep | Juicy, sweet-tart, brown sugar notes | Fresh eating, baking, applesauce |
| Chestnut | September | Small, sweet, aromatic, snappy | Snacking, lunch boxes |
| KinderKrisp | Early September | Sweet, crisp, kid-friendly | Snacking, apple crisp |
| Honeycrisp | Mid-Sep – Early Oct | Sweet, exceptionally juicy, crisp | Fresh eating, baking |
| Intensity | Mid–Late September | Bold sweet-tart, firm, crisp | Fresh eating, pies |
| Keepsake | Mid-Sep – Early Oct | Dense, richly sweet, complex | Fresh eating, cider, cooking |
| The B-51 | Late Sep – Early Oct | Extra sweet, aromatic, crisp | Fresh eating, apple crisp |
| Cortland | Late Sep – Early Oct | Sweet-tart, tender, slow to brown | Salads, applesauce, baking |
| Haralson | Late Sep – Early Oct | Firm, tart, complex | Pies, baking, cooking |
| Frostbite | Late Sep – Mid-Oct | Intensely sweet, tangy, crisp | Cider, snacking, dried apples |
| SnowSweet | Mid-October | Mildly tart, buttery, sweet | Fresh eating, salads, applesauce |
Harvest dates are approximate and change with each growing season.