Are Kiku apples a new apple or an old apple with a new name? This and all your Kiku apple questions answered below!
Are you a sweet apple fan?
Or do you like a more tart experience?
If you answer, yes to the first question, then your going to want to know about the Kiku Apple. Maybe you already know about it and love it and here to learn more about your new love.
The Facts About the Kiku Apple Variety
The Fuji apple has been one of the most popular apples worldwide in the last couple decades. In 1990, a mututation of a Fuji tree, produced an apple that was different from the other Fujis. This apple gained the name, Kiku.
While the Kiku apple is no where near as popular as what it mutated from, it’s growing in popularity. Some say that supply is not meeting the demand for Kiku.
What makes Kiku stand out from Fuji is it’s color. Kiku has a skin that is way more red than the Fuji apple that has more of a dull pink colored skin. That eye appeal is what attracted retailers to carry the Kiku.
My Taste Experience with this Apple
Here is what I have thought of the Kiku apples I have tried. Ratings on a scale of 1-10.
| Crispiness | 7 |
| Tartness | 3 |
| Sweetness | 8 |
| Juiciness | 6 |
| Apple Flavor | 6 |
Crunchy, sweet apple that is mildly juciy. Just a hint of tartness in this apple. The inside is off white, which from a visual perspective would not make it a good salad apple.
The big big question is, is this apple better than the Fuji? I think so. It just has more personality than a Fuji, which I think most of the time aren’t anything special.
Kiku is not my favorite apple but one I do enjoy purchasing from time to time, especially in the late winter months when the picking gets slim.
Are Kiku Apples GMO?
No, Kiku apples are non-GMO. To learn more about GMO & apples, check out my post: Are SweeTango Apples GMO? Are Any Apples GMO?
Where to Buy Kiku
Kiku Apples are relatively easy to find now. Most major grocery chains (Walmart, Kroger, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, etc) will carry them from time to time. If you need help finding them, let me know in the comments below or hit me up on Instagram – @eatlikenooneelse
When are Kiku Apples in Season
Kiku is harvested late in the fall season same time as a standard Fuji. Late apples have a longer shelf life.
The apple isn’t normally released until winter time with the peak season being in January and February.
CMI is the exclusive shipper and grower of Kiku apples in the United States. They are grown in the state of Washington.
There is also a second season when New Zealand Kiku apples become available in the summer time.
Can You Buy Organic Kiku Apples?
Not to my knowledge. They could be out there, but I have not recalled ever seeing organic Kiku.
Can You Bake with Them?
I think Kiku are best for eat out of hand. They are too sweet really for what I want a baking apple to be. Plus there are many better choices out there for baking.
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.
Ambrosia Apples are still the best!
I love honey crisp and ambrosia apples, but this one is right up there with them, LOVE it!!
Recently tried the Kiku for the first time and it quickly jumped to the top of my favorite apple variety list!!!! LOVE the Kiku!
my favorite is honeycrisp. I tried a kiku and it was up there with honeycrisp, but the price was very high. Found them at WalMart and was shocked at the price.
Thanks for the information. I came across kiku apples at a grocery store in Spring, Texas, and I picked up a couple. I’m curious as to how they’ll taste.
I hope that you like them. Make sure to come on back and leave a comment to tell us all what you thought!
So, I tried a Kiku. First off, I wouldn’t recommend getting them just because of the cost. My grocery store was selling them for nearly $4 a pound compared to the typical $1.89 for Fuji. I tried one, expecting to love it. It wasn’t very good. It was more blah tasting than it was sweet. I won’t be wasting money on them again.
That is way too expensive for them. I see most grocery stores selling them for the same price as the other apples, except Honeycrisp. I just saw some for $1.49/pound. I bought some smaller ones which taste better than the larger ones, which do end up tasting kind of bland.
The kiku are now my favorite apples but they are expensive, about 2.99/lb. and now I haven’t been able to get them at my grocery store for about a month.
I am crazy about apples I eat at least four a day, and after trying the kiku I can say for certain
is not better than the Fuji and its an insult to even compare them. The kiku has more like a 6 in sweetness because it vanishes so quickly, whereas the Fuji flavor stays with you. The skin of the apple is bland and takes a long time to chew. The crispness I would also give a six in comparison to the jazz apple which may be the crunchier I’ve had. So in short, no the kiku doesn’t come close to the perfection that is the Fuji.
I normally do not eat Kiku apples this time of year. The one you had was likely imported. Wait again until they are released near the end of this year from Washington and you might have a better experience.
Tried my first Kiku by accident yesterday by grabbing the first red apple in the apple bin to correct a low blood sugar situation. After my first bite I had to take a look at my sales receipt to find out what I bought. This apple realy dances on the senses. First thought it was a red delicious, no a granny smith, snappy crisp, juicy with a slight tartness and hint of pear. This was a delightful treet and corrected the blood sugars within 15 minutes.
Those are the best types of accidents! Thanks for the comment!
Just bought some Italian grown Kiku from a supermarket here in the UK. Working on the principle of trying anything once I would not repeat on this. I found the apple to be crisp to a fault ,very juicy but ultimately bland. I personally prefer a nutty somewhat more acidic apple. There are several modern varieties with a very similar profile – give me a characterful apple any day – crispness isn’t everything !
Kiku apples are NOT very sweet, I found them to be watery, not crisp as honeycrisp and not nearly as sweet or juicy. In fact the ones I got were not very juicy at all, and the skin is thick and rather bitter. I would not buy them again.
Tried the apples first time this morning cooked in butter and honey and agree the kiku apple is just as good as the honeycrisp.
Sounds really good. Thanks for sharing.