What do you get when you combine the famous crunch of Honeycrisp with the sweetness of Fuji? You get Summerset! This newer apple variety brings together two popular apple families to create a crisp, juicy, sweet-tart apple that’s delicious fresh and surprisingly versatile in the kitchen. If you love a good crunch, Summerset deserves a spot on your apple-picking list.
Summerset is a relatively new apple variety with a parentage that is easy to get excited about: Honeycrisp × Fuji. That combination brings together two very popular apples with very different strengths. Honeycrisp is famous for its exceptional crunch and juicy texture, while Fuji is known for its sweetness and crisp bite. Summerset brings characteristics from both into one apple, resulting in a variety that’s especially appealing to people who like sweet apples with plenty of crunch.
Summerset apples are generally large and attractive, with skin that can develop a red blush over a yellow-green background. The exact coloring can vary depending on growing conditions, but the fruit has an appealing classic apple appearance. Inside, Summerset has firm, crisp, juicy flesh. That texture is one of the first things you’ll notice when you take a bite… Crunch!
Summerset has a sweet-tart flavor with plenty of juicy, refreshing character. Its Honeycrisp heritage contributes to its crisp texture and refreshing bite, while Fuji contributes sweetness. The result is a flavorful apple that doesn’t simply taste sugary. It has enough tartness to keep things interesting. If your ideal apple is: Sweet + Tart + Juicy + REALLY CRISP…Summerset may quickly become one of your favorites!
Summerset is generally a late-summer to early-fall apple, with harvest timing depending on the growing region and conditions. Its timing makes it a fun variety to discover as the orchard moves into the busier part of apple season. At Apple Holler, exact harvest dates vary based on the year’s weather and growing conditions.
Try Summerset apples for:
Its firm flesh holds its shape well during baking, making Summerset a particularly useful apple when you want both great flavor and texture in the finished dish.
Summerset is a fun apple to seek out if you’re someone who believes the crunchier, the better! Its Honeycrisp-and-Fuji heritage gives it a delicious combination of crisp texture, juicy flesh, and sweet-tart flavor, making it an excellent apple for fresh eating and a versatile choice for baking. Whether you’re filling a bag for the kitchen, looking for a new lunchbox favorite, or simply trying every variety you can find, Summerset is one to put on your list. Come explore the orchard and discover your next favorite apple!
Variety: Summerset®
Parentage: Honeycrisp × Fuji
Origin: United States
Color: Yellow-green with red blush
Flesh: Firm, crisp, and juicy
Flavor: Sweet-tart, juicy, and refreshing
Texture: Very crisp and firm
Season: Late summer to early fall
Best for: Fresh eating, salads, snacking, pies, crisps, and baking
Special feature: Combines Honeycrisp-like crunch with Fuji sweetness
Fun fact: Summerset was developed from two incredibly popular modern apple varieties: Honeycrisp and Fuji.
