What happens when you combine a Jonathan and a McIntosh apple? Well of course you get a Jonamac. Learn all about this apple and how it's similar or different from it's parents.
What are Jonamac Apples? As the name says, this apple is a cross between a Jonathan and a McIntosh apple that ripens around the same time as McIntosh and has a flavor more similar to that parent.
There was an era in apple naming that it was common to give an apple a new apple a name that combined both of their parents. The most famous of these is Jonagold, which is a Jonathan crossed with a Golden Delicious. Today we are talking about another variety that contains the name of both it's parents - the Jonamac.
📜 History
Jonamac apples originated in the state of New York in 1972. It is a small to medium sized apple with a bright white flesh on the inside.
🚜 When Are They Harvested?
Jonamacs ripen just before their parent the McIntosh, so around early September.
👅 What Does It Taste Like
Here is my review of this apple. Categories are on a scale of 1-10.
| Crispiness | 5 |
| Tartness | 5 |
| Flavor | 6 |
| Sweetness | 6 |
| Juiciness | 5 |
I think this apple is more McIntosh than Jonathan. It has a similar flavor and texture to a McIntosh, but I do think it is more crisp and has an improved flavor. It's not bad for an out of hand eating apple and would be great to use in applesauce.
Some people say they can be used in baking, but I don't think the apples would hold their shape well enough. It will fall apart and be more like applesauce. Some people like their pies more like that and that's fine, I just personally believe there are better baking apples for sure like Northern Spy and Rhode Island Greening.
🛒 Where to Buy
I believe this apple has lost some of it's popularity over the years. I don't see it all that much. If you are on this page today, you might have looked it up because you miss it and want to find it. Well let me give you a list of orchards that you might look for them at. The apple is mainly grown on the east coast with many locations in the state of New York.
- Plymouth Orchards and Cider Mill (Plymouth, MI)
- Curtis Orchard (Champaign, IL)
- Lyman Orchards (Middlefield, CT)
- Thousand Acre Farm (Ocean City, MD)
- Sunrise Orchards (Gays Mills, WI)
- Wickham Farms (Penfield, NY)
- Weaver's Orchard (Morgantown, PA)
- Brecknock Orchard (Lancaster, PA)
- Abbott Farms (Baldwinsville, NY)
- Beak & Skiff (Lafayette, NY)
- Deer Run Farms (Layfayette, NY)
- O’Neill’s Orchard (Layfayette, NY)
- Owen Orchards Cider Mill and Farm Market (Weedsport, NY)
- Blackman Homestead Farm (Lockport, NY)
- Meadows Farm (Forestville, NY)
- Rose Hill Farm (Red Hook, NY)
- Bowman Orchards (Rexford, NY)
- Indian Ladder (Altamont, NY)
- Saratoga Apple (Schuylerville, NY)
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.
Mickey Henkel
I bought Jonamacs about three weeks ago at my local farmers market but now can't find it. No apple sellers I ask about it have even heard of it. I swear I didn't dream it but if I were going to dream of an apple, this would be it. Where can I find it?
admin
These apples aren't easy to find. I have only seen them at farmer's markets, never in a grocery store. I am thinking the season for them is short, so you might be waiting until next year for more.
Spuffler
Just bought (on Sept 18, 2011) a half peck of Jonamacs at a WalMart in Farmington NH. The bag reads: "Dist by New York Apple Sales, Walden NY 12586". Me, since I bought this bag of apples, I have finally rediscovered an apple variety which I had been seeking ever since realizing that those apples which I had as a kid weren't really true Macs (as my mother proclaimed them to be). The orchard where I discovered them was of no use, that Orchard had changed hands and unproductive trees were removed. Incredibly, WalMart had them. Softer flesh and softer skin compared to a true Mac, and slightly sweeter. SLIGHTLY sweeter, and, for me, just right!
Pamela Burke
It's Dec.3rd and I'm calling all over town looking for Jonamac apples...my mom is hooked on them and, I can't find any in Cadillac, M.I....any ideas. I bought them at Member during the fall up until about 3 weeks ago. Any ideas where I can get some now?
philip
Just picked some jonamacs on Long Island ny. There is an orchard called woodside in jamesport, ny. They are excellent and if you like hard cidar you ll find it there too.