Description
Cosmic Crisp® was bred at Washington State University as a cross of Honeycrisp and Enterprise, with a clear goal in mind: combine Honeycrisp’s juiciness and crunch with the late-season strength and keeping quality of a true storage apple. The result is a richly colored, dense-fleshed apple that bites with a satisfying snap, stays refreshing rather than sugary, and holds its texture long after harvest.
The texture is the headline: dense, extremely crisp, and satisfyingly juicy. Flavor is clean and balanced, leaning sweet-tart without sharp edges or cloying sweetness. It’s an apple designed to be reached for again and again, whether eaten fresh, sliced for lunches, or pulled from storage deep into winter.
Harvested late in the season, Cosmic Crisp® rewards patience. Unlike apples that soften or fade over time, it holds its texture and eating quality for months, making it one of the most dependable apples for growers who value consistency as much as flavor. Harvest fruit in September. Flowering group 4, would need pollination from different variety flowering groups 3 or 4 to set fruit. Hardy to zone 5. This variety cannot be shipped outside of Washington due to patent protection.
Overview
- Extremely crisp, dense texture with excellent juiciness
- Balanced sweet-tart flavor with broad appeal
- Late-season apple bred for long-term storage
- Resists browning better than many standard apples
- Pollination required for reliable fruit set
Growing Details
Latin Name: Malus domestica ‘Cosmic Crisp®’
Site and Soil: 1/2 day to full day of sun; well-drained soil
Chill Requirement: Approx. 900 hours
Hardiness: Hardy to USDA Zone 4
Rootstock: M-26 (dwarf) and M-106 (semi-dwarf)
Bearing Age: 1–3 years
Size at Maturity:
• M-26 (Dwarf): Typically 8–10 ft tall and wide
• M-106 (Semi-Dwarf): Typically 12–16 ft tall and wide
Bloom Time: Mid-season
Flowering Group: Group 3 (mid-season)
Ripening Time: Late season; typically mid- to late October (varies by region)
Pollination: Pollination required; plant a compatible apple variety within 20–30 feet
Pests & Diseases: Standard apple pest and disease considerations; improved scab resistance compared to many older varieties
Yield: Reliable, consistent producer once established
Additional Notes
- Grower’s Insight: Cosmic Crisp® was bred for patience. It’s one of the rare apples that eats exceptionally well at harvest and continues to hold its crisp texture months later, making it deeply satisfying for growers who value consistency.
- Regional Insight: Performs especially well in the Pacific Northwest and similar temperate regions, where cool nights support strong color development and late-season finishing.
- Excellent choice for fresh eating, slicing, and long-term home storage.
- Harvest mature fruit for best flavor balance and maximum storage performance.
- Explore more apples in our collection: Apple Trees
