From the Blog

Apple Season is Here!

New Pioneer Food Co-op September 29 Category: Featured Products
apple varieties

Apple season is here and we have plenty of options for baking, sauce, and fresh eating.

Timeless Prairie Orchard is back this season with our favorite State Fair Blue Ribbon Honeycrisps and Gala apples. Their season was cut short last year due to the derecho and we are so excited to welcome them back!

We also have a variety of apples arriving from Buffalo Ridge Orchard​​​​​​​. Emma and Marcus harvest over 50 different varieties of apples from Emma's family orchard in Central City, IA. Staff favorites include Sweet 16 and RubyMac. 

Find over a dozen varieties available in our produce departments, and check out our guide below for flavor profiles and uses!

All apples are also elegible for our Member Buy 5 Program. Buy 5 lbs. of apples (all at once or with multiple purchases) and earn 1lb. of apples free.

   

alkmene apples

Alkmene

Buffalo Ridge Orchard,
Central City, IA

Flavor: tart and tangy

Texture: firm, crunchy, and juicy

Use: great eaten fresh


blondee apples

Blondee

Timeless Prairie Orchard,
Winthrop, IA

Flavor: mild sweet taste

Texture: firm, crisp, and crunchy

Use: baking and fresh eating


gala apples

Gala

Timeless Prairie Orchard,
Winthrop, IA

Flavor: mild sweet flavor

Texture: juicy and crunchy

Use: apple sauce, salad, cider, and fresh eating


ginger gold

Ginger Gold

Buffalo Ridge Orchard,
Central City, IA

Flavor: sweet with hints of pear

Texture: crisp and juicy

Use: fresh eating and baking


granny-smith_apples.jpg

Granny Smith

Flavor: tart and citrusy

Texture: crisp and firm

Use: baking and salads


honeycrisps.jpg

Honeycrisp

Timeless Prairie Orchard,
Winthrop, IA

Flavor: sweet, tart and mildy aromatic

Texture: light, airy, crisp

Use: fresh eating, salads, baking, and cider


McIntosh apples

McIntosh

Buffalo Ridge Orchard,
Central City, IA

Flavor: tart, spicy, deliciously aromatic, and full-flavored apple

Texture: crisp and snappy

Use: fresh eating, caramel apples, apple sauce, and cider


pink-lady.jpg

Pink Lady

Flavor: sweet and tart 

Texture: crisp

Use: baking, salads, applesauce, and fresh eating


rubymac apples

RubyMac

Buffalo Ridge Orchard,
Central City, IA

Flavor: tart, spicy, deliciously aromatic, and full-flavored apple

Texture: crisp and snappy; firmer than other Macs

Use: fresh eating, caramel apples, apple sauce, and cider


sansa apples

Sansa

Buffalo Ridge Orchard,
Central City, IA

Flavor: sweet, with hints of vanilla

Texture: fine grained, crisp

Use: fresh eating and salads


silken apples

Silken

Buffalo Ridge Orchard,
Central City, IA

Flavor: aromatic, sweet, moderately acidic dessert apple

Texture: crisp and juicy

Use: fresh eating, salads, and pies


sweet sixteen apples

Sweet Sixteen / Song of September

Buffalo Ridge Orchard,
Central City, IA

Flavor: sweet, with hints of black cherry

Texture: crisp, crunchy, and juicy

Use: fresh eating and pies


zestar

Zestar

Buffalo Ridge Orchard,
Central City, IA

Flavor: sweet-tart with hints of brown sugar, similar to Honeycrisp

Texture: coarse and juicy

Use: eating and sauce

New Pioneer Food Co-op About the Author

New Pioneer Food Co-op

New Pi is a food co-operative, owned by over 35,000 members, home-grown in Iowa. We welcome everyone to our store, regardless of membership, and focus on local and sustainable food solutions. New Pi has strong roots in Iowa City’s local food community, and continues to partner with local growers, food, and sustainability organizations to enrich Linn and Johnson County communities.