When Is a Honeycrisp Ripe?

This apple's name says it all. Honeycrisp apples have a sweet, snappy taste that makes them the most popular apple in America. To get the best flavor, though, growers need to know when to pick Honeycrisp apples from their trees. Underripe ones are too hard and tasteless, and the flavor declines quickly once these apples are overripe.

Honeycrisp apples were initially bred by the University of Minnesota and released to the public in 1991. The trees are now planted in several other states too, such as Michigan, New York and Washington. They are also grown commercially in parts of Canada and are called Honeycrunch in Europe. In the U.S., these apples typically ripen in the middle of September, but picking time can extend to December in some climates.

Typically, harvesting starts in September, but instead of all the apples on a tree ripening at once, there's a two- to three-week period where different apples on the tree become ripe. The large fruits usually have peels with a bright yellow background blushed with red. There may also be vertical stripes showing on the red portions, and the more sun exposure the apples get, the more amount of red you will see.

When are Honeycrisp apples ripe? Apple harvesting times can vary from year to year by up to four weeks, but you can pluck them off the tree once they reach the optimum size and the peel has a reddish or blushlike tone. There should still be some green visible as well. If you wait too long and the skin is entirely yellow, it could be overripe. Try flipping one upside down while it is still attached to a branch; if it pops right off, it is ready to go.

As a guideline, the fruit should separate easily from the tree without pulling or tugging. Hold on to the bottom of the apple, lift it against the stem and gently twist; if you cannot easily remove it, it is not ripe yet. You can also cut one open and if the seeds (also known as pips) are not brown, the apple needs more time. Taste a few during harvesting season and remember that dropped apples are not necessarily ripe.

Honeycrisp apples growing on the outer edges of a tree tend to ripen before the ones toward the middle, which is typical for fruit trees. Plan to harvest them in stages over several weeks. Honeycrisp apples are considered medium to large, ranging from 2 3/4 inches to 4 inches in diameter and weighing 10 to 12 ounces. When ripe, they should be 60 to 90 percent dappled red over a yellow base; the color may not be as good in warmer climates.

These tasty apples are sold in many places, from farmers' markets to grocery stores. Since they are on the bigger side and are delicious and sought-after, they usually cost more than other varieties. They will be more expensive in places like coffee shops and boutique groceries. Honeycrisps are also popular because they have a long shelf life; the texture and flavor can last up to seven months in refrigerated storage. This long life is why you can purchase them in months outside the regular harvesting times.