If crunch is what you look for in an apple, you’re going to want to meet EverCrisp®. This modern Midwest apple was developed by crossing two famous crisp apples, Honeycrisp and Fuji, and the result is exactly what its name promises: an apple with an exceptionally crisp bite, sweet flavor, and impressive keeping ability. It’s the kind of apple that makes a satisfying CRUNCH with every bite.
EverCrisp® is the market name for MAIA-1, a variety developed by the Midwest Apple Improvement Association (MAIA). It was created from a controlled cross between Honeycrisp and Fuji and was first released by MAIA in 2014. The variety was developed with both consumers and growers in mind, combining a sweet flavor and very crisp texture with excellent storage qualities.
EverCrisp apples generally have a shape and appearance somewhat similar to Fuji. The skin typically has a yellow-green background covered by red coloring, which can become quite pronounced as the fruit matures. Inside, the flesh is pale, firm and exceptionally crisp.
But the name really tells you what to pay attention to: that crunch!
EverCrisp has a sweet, juicy flavor with a satisfying crisp texture. Because it combines Honeycrisp and Fuji genetics, it brings together characteristics that apple lovers already appreciate in both parent varieties. The texture is particularly notable. MAIA describes EverCrisp as having a crispy, breaking texture similar to Honeycrisp, but slightly harder. In other words, if you love a serious crunch, this is one to try.
EverCrisp is a mid-to-late fall apple, generally ripening around mid-October. At Apple Holler, availability can vary depending on the growing season and Mother Nature’s schedule. One of EverCrisp’s notable characteristics is its long picking window, which gives the fruit more flexibility around harvest time.
EverCrisp is especially good for fresh eating, but its excellent keeping qualities make it a wonderful apple to bring home and enjoy later.
Try it for:
Its firm texture makes it particularly satisfying when eaten fresh.
One of the reasons EverCrisp has become popular is its ability to maintain quality during storage. MAIA developed the variety with long storability in mind, meaning the apple can maintain its desirable texture and flavor for an extended period when properly stored. That’s especially useful for apple lovers who want to enjoy their orchard haul well beyond the day they picked it.
EverCrisp’s family tree is pretty impressive. Its parents are:
Honeycrisp- famous for its explosive crunch and juicy texture.
Fuji- known for its sweetness, crisp texture and excellent storage ability.
Cross the two, and you get an apple that combines many of those desirable characteristics into one variety. It’s a perfect example of modern apple breeding: taking qualities people already love and combining them in a new apple.
There’s an interesting new chapter in the EverCrisp story, too. MAIA-Mitchell is an early-coloring limb mutation of MAIA-1 discovered in New York in 2018. It develops its deep red color earlier while maintaining the characteristic qualities of EverCrisp. Fruit from MAIA-Mitchell that meets the required quality standards is also marketed under the EverCrisp name. So even this relatively young apple variety is already getting a new generation of its own!
The original MAIA-1 seedling tree can still be found in Wabash, Indiana, where the variety began its journey. From one seedling to an apple grown by orchards across the country, that’s quite a story for one tree!
Variety: MAIA-1
Market Name: EverCrisp®
Origin: Midwest Apple Improvement Association
Parentage: Honeycrisp × Fuji
Released: 2014
Color: Red over yellow-green
Flavor: Sweet and juicy
Texture: Exceptionally crisp and firm
Season: Mid-October
Best For: Fresh eating, snacking, salads, baking and long-term storage
Special Traits: Long picking window and excellent storability
