top 15 most popular varieties of apples

Strolling through a grocery store recently, I noticed a dozen kind of apples on sale. (see video) Some names I had seen before, some I haven’t. Some I’ve tasted, but I can’t remember which is which. So here’s my quest to learn more about apples. Would you believe there are about 2,500 known varieties of apples in the United States and more than 7,500 in the world?

The top 15 varieties account for almost 90% of apples grown in 2008, according to the U.S. Apple Association, in alphabetical order (cf. guide):

  • Braeburn
  • Cortland
  • Empire
  • Fuji
  • Gala
  • Ginger Gold
  • Golden Delicious
  • Granny Smith
  • Honeycrisp
  • Idared
  • Jonagold
  • Jonathan
  • McIntosh
  • Red Delicious
  • Rome

Red Delicious is the top apple. The next 4 most popular are: Golden Delicious, Gala, Fuji, Granny Smith. Orange Pippin’s online community voted for top apples, and the most popular was Pink Lady. Another list in Apple Cookbook by Olwen Woodier says, “The most popular apple varieties are Cortland, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Empire, Fuji, Gala, Ida Red, Macoun, McIntosh, Northern Spy, and Winesap.” And then there’s this ginormous list of apple varieties at allaboutapples.com with patents and trademarks noted.