Learn all about this New York variety that is described as having a "monster crunch". Is the apple as exciting as the name makes it sound?
When shopping at the grocery store, when you pick up an apple it is most likely going to be from Washington. When I have been talking about new apple varieties lately those have been mainly coming out of the Midwest, like Minnesota and Michigan.
But we can't forget about the state that has a city nicknamed the Big Apple. New York in most years is the 2nd largest producing apple state in the country. They also are producing their own varieties such as the topic of today's post - the SnapDragon apple.
Let's learn more!
📜 History
If you have an avid reader of my apple reviews, you have heard this story before - an apple that has been produced by crossing another apple with the beloved Honeycrisp. SnapDragon along with RubyFrost were developed by the apple breeding program at Cornell University.
👓 Appearance
As you can see in the photo above this is a beautiful apple. Most of them are solid red but you do see some with some yellow in the color. The skin of the apple is dotted with white spots.
⭐ Ratings
Here is what I thought when I had this apple for the first time.
| Tart | 5 |
| Sweet | 7 |
| Juiciness | 8 |
| Flavor | 7 |
| Crispiness | 9 |
SnapDragon is a good apple that is crisp, juicy with sweet spicy flavor. However, this apple has had a love and meh relationship with me. I have had some that were really good. The ones I picked directly off the tree at an orchard in New York (DuBois Farms) were simply the best.
Other ones, I have been kind of boring in taste. I have never had one that has been bad or too soft or mealy or dry. I would like to see more consistency in flavor but I don't hesitate to buy these in the store.
Compared to RubyFrost, the other apple developed around the same time, I think SnapDragon is superior in flavor without a doubt.
I haven't tried do anything with this apple besides eating it, so I can't say how it would be for cooking or baking. It's too high on the sweetness scale to be an optimal baking apple in my opinion.
Eating Tips - It has been my experience with this variety that the smaller apples are definitely better tasting. Choose the smaller ones. The apples are sold by the pound or in 2 pound bags depending on the store. For more on getting how to know when an apple is perfect to eat, check out this post
🛒 Where to Buy
When I was visiting New York I found them at Wegman's. I have also spotted them in 2 pound bags at Trader Joe's.
Here are all the locations that I know of. Make sure to leave a comment below if you know any additional locations.
- Aldi
- Baldor Food
- BJ's Wholesale Club
- Central Market
- Costco (Northeast stores)
- HEB
- Trader Joe's
- Fresh Direct
- The Fresh Market
- Sprouts
- Wegmans
🍎 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.
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