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Ida Red Apples

Published: by Eric Samuelson

Learn all about this apple variety that is well known through the Midwest but got it's start in Idaho. Find out what this apple is good for.

Hanging in a tree is a single Ida Red apple with a rosy color skin with greenish yellow color in the back

There is a group of apples when I first started learning about varieties that were among the first local ones I was able to try.

The Ida Red apple is one of them.

I may not give them as much attention as I did in the past as I am always looking for new varieties but I didn't want to forget some of the classics in my life.

Jump to:

📜 History

When you think of Idaho and farming, I bet the first thing that comes to your mind is potatoes. Idaho is certainly known for their spuds. But what you might not know is that they are also the birthplace of the Ida Red apple.

This apple which was born from combining the well known Jonathan with the lesser known Wagener

They are harvested near the end of September to the beginning of October.

An apple tree is loaded with Ida Red apples.

👓 Appearance

The apple has red rosy colored skin with a yellow-green color in the areas of the apple not hit by direct sun. On the inside the flesh is a bright white color.

⭐ Ratings

Here is what I thought when I had this apple for the first time.

Tart7
Sweet4
Juiciness6
Flavor7
Crispiness6

This is one of my favorite baking apples. It has a nice flavor and a good amount of acidity. I love using them to make fried apples. They would also be a great additional to a pie. I worked once for Zingerman's Bakehouse in Ann Arbor, MI and they used local Ida Red apples in their pies.

The apple can also add tartness and flavor to applesauce. I would mix with some sweeter apples like Gala or Golden Delicious.

I don't really like to eat these apples out of hand. The ones I picked directly from the trees in years past have been too tart for me to just eat them as is.

Eating Tips - Ida Red stores really well. It will last for months in the fridge. You can buy them when they are freshly harvested in early fall and they will still be great for using for a Thanksgiving apple pie. They can even last into winter! For more on getting how to know when an apple is perfect to eat, check out this post

White sign that says "Ida red" in green in front of some apple trees.

🛒 Where to Buy

Here are all the locations that I know of. Sometimes you may find them in a grocery store but mostly they are a common one to find at orchards and u-pick farms. Make sure to leave a comment below if you know any additional stores or orchards.

  • Johnston Fruit Farm (Swanton, Ohio)
  • Wasem Fruit Farm (Milan, MI)
  • Tuttle Orchards (Greenfield, IN)
  • Apple Holler (Sturtevant, WI)
  • Marker Miller Orchards (Winchester, VA)
  • Soergel Orchards (Wexford, PA)
  • Branstool Orchards (Utica, OH)
  • Select Kroger stores
  • Meijer stores
  • Stop & Shop stores
  • Riveridge Produce (Michigan distributor)

🍎 Give These Apples a Try

Here are some other apples you will want to check out

Have you tried this apple? What did you think? Leave a comment below telling us. Be a helper and share where you found it. You may make someone's day with your insider info on where to get them! If you are a true apple lover, you'll want to check out all of our apple reviews.