Two of America's favorite apples - Honeycrisp and Pink Lady had a baby and it's called WildTwist. Learn if they are worth buying, what they taste like, whether you can bake with them, and how they compare to other popular apples.
📋 What's New In This Post (3/20/26) - Updated information on how long they will be in stores for in 2026.
✍🏻 Featured Comment - Patricia says Eric - "Hi !~ I am the world's fussiest eater. I hate everything. I do eat an apple every day. Never miss. The WildTwist apples are wonderful. Very crisp too. Beautiful red skin. As I may be a Super Taster, I do not do sour or bitter. First time visiting your site. I too like to eat seasonally. My husband enjoys gardening. Lucky us ! Peace."
What are WildTwist Apples?
Are you a Honeycrisp fan? Are you a Cripps Pink fan? (Pink Lady is the trademarked name used for many Cripps Pink apples, for the sake of ease I will use Pink Lady from here on out).
What if I told you that the best attributes of each apple was combined in a new apple variety?
Wouldn't that be wild! That is exactly what I thought when I first came across the WildTwist apple. I was able to get in contact with one of the growers and they were happy to send me some samples of their variety. It was right during the spring of 2020. We all know what was going on then! It was nice to have a new apple variety to try right in the midst of the chaos going on in the world.
Ever since that first bite I have become a fan of this apple and have been eating them whenever I have gotten the chance. I even packed some to take on my cross country train trip this year.
They were very limited when I first had them in 2020 and now I have had these apples from coast to coast. I'm here to share everything I have learned about them.
Jump to:
⭐ What Do WildTwist Apples Taste Like?
On a scale of 1-10, here is how I rate this apple:
| Sweetness | 7 |
| Tartness | 6 |
| Crispiness | 9 |
| Juiciness | 8 |
| Flavor | 8 |
Here is what I want you to know about how a WildTwist apple tastes:
- It walks the sweet/tart line perfectly, just siding on the sweet side with the right amount of tartness to give it personality.
- The flavor itself seems to be the perfect mash-up of Honeycrisp and Pink Lady, although I feel more like I am eating a sweeter Pink Lady with a more complex flavor.
- It's crisp without being too hard or tiring to chew.
- It's one of the best Honeycrisp crosses I have had and I have tried over 20 varieties that were made from a Honeycrisp.
Check out this live WildTwist apple test taste that I posted on my Substack page, What Apple to Eat Today.
📜 The Origin of WildTwist Apples
Hess Brothers, a fruit company out of Lancaster, PA were the ones that brought the WildTwist apple to the market. The apple was originally being marketed as the Sweet Cheeks apple. In 2020, the name was changed to WildTwist, to better play up that this apple is a twist of two great apples, which I think was a great idea.
The apple is being planted across dozens of farms in Pennsylvania, New York, and Virginia. They also have been planted out in Washington as well where they are distributed by the Rainier Fruit Company.
🚜 When Are They Harvested?
WildTwist apples are harvested at the end of October/early November, which makes them one of the last apples harvested for the year. In comparison, Honeycrisp is picked in early September.
One of the characteristics you often find with apples that are harvested late in the season is that they store really well. There seems to be something about hanging out on the tree longer that gives apples the ability to last a long time. That means WildTwist can be enjoyed throughout the winter and into the spring without a decline in quality.
📅 When are WildTwist Apples in Season?
In 2026, WildTwist apples are expected to be available all the way into July.
Just because the apples come off the tree in late October/early November doesn't mean they are available then. Due to their Pink Lady heritage, WildTwist apples need time to mellow out. I once had a Pink Lady that was freshly picked and man, was it tart. I couldn't eat it.
When WildTwist is stored under regular conditions, not climate controlled, it will improve in flavor.
Even though we don't think of apples in terms of ripeness the same way we do something like a peach, apple actually do vary a lot with age. Some are great right off the tree and some, like WildTwist, need a little time.
As production has picked up WildTwist apples have become more readily available and for a longer time. They are expected to be available in stores from December to July. This is a time period where it becomes harder to find a good, crisp apple. By this point in the year, Honeycrisp just aren't what they use to be back in September.
🍎 WildTwist vs. Honeycrisp & Cosmic Crisp
I am getting a lot of people wondering how WildTwist compares to these other popular apple varieties. Each of these apples I would consider sweet/tart apples that are nicely balanced. But how are they different? Let's take a look:
WildTwist vs. Honeycrisp
The big advantage WildTwist has over Honeycrisp is that the flavor of the apple holds up in cold storage a lot longer than Honeycrisp. By springtime I find that Honeycrisp apples are pretty meh. But WildTwist apples are still plenty flavorful.
WildTwist vs. Cosmic Crisp
Both of these apple varieties have come out in the last decade. They were developed on opposite sides of the country. Cosmic Crisp apples are available in more stores right now and they are available throughout the entire year. I think a lot of people would love both apples. In my personal opinion, I think the flavor of WildTwist is more interesting. A good WildTwist apple beats out a great Cosmic Crisp apple.
🥧 Are WildTwist Apples Good for Baking?
Yes, WildTwist apples are good for baking because they hold their shape well. They are not too sweet to bake with.
I baked an Irish Apple Cake with it and it came out fantastic. The apples inside the cake were firm without being crunchy. Give it a try for any apple recipe where you want the apples to hold their shape well.
🛒 Where to Buy WildTwist?
When they first came out they were mainly available on the east coast, but as time has gone on they are now available from coast to coast. Below you will find a list of stores you can look for them in. Keep in mind they may not be available in all these stores all the time, so you need to check with the store. This will guide you on where to go.
- Kroger stores (under the Private Selection label)
- Giant Eagle
- Costco
- Safeway
- Giant
- ACME
- Whole Foods Market
- Sam's Club
- Jungle Jim's International Market
- Plum Market
- Price Chopper
- Woodman's Market
Need more help finding them? Check out the store locator on the WildTwist website.
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.
Jonathan
Just got one of these apples from Safeway in Baltimore. It had a great taste, good level of crispiness.
Eric Samuelson
Thanks for sharing your experience, Jonathan. Glad that you liked them.
Carol nestor
First bumped into the wild twist at Walmart here in Pittsburgh,Pa. Great apple I never instead just a wonderful apple. Please do not stop delivering it here in Pittsburgh. Thanks. Carol and also my Labrador who also enjoys your apple each day.
Angela Davis-Stokes
Just had a wild twist apple and it was delicious! I said to my husband it taste like a honeycrisp, but no tart. Found it in Giant, Abington, PA.
Eric Samuelson
Angela, thanks for sharing. I am glad to hear you like them.
Caryn baker
Wish could find in North Carolina Walmart or food lion or aldi
Harvey Freedenberg
Found your review as my wife and I were eating a Wild Twist. It was recommended to us by a friend who has worked in the wholesale produce business (mostly apples) all his life. We loved it and your review was spot on. Love your T-shirt also. I’m a U of M alum.
Bon
Found at Hegedorn's in Webster NY Really like it.;
Sal
I had never heard of them before I noticed them a Costco. Price was good so I thought I would give them a try. I don’t eat apples much any more because they are pretty tasteless but these I couldn’t believe. I truly eat an apple a day now.
Eric Samuelson
Glad that you decided to try them and discovered that they are good.
Cynthia Gilbert
Love Wild Twist! Buy them at our local and the best apple orchard - Schutt’s in Webster, NY. And don’t forget to buy some of their famous and fabulous homemade fried cakes!
Louise
Bought wild twist apples at a Publix grocery store in New Bern NC and loved the taste. Looked for them at our local Giant in PA and did not find them. Will look at stores you listed
Eric Samuelson
Glad to hear that you got to try the apple.
Elaine Robinson
Just bought these apples a t Publix. It isn’t new to me. I will buy again, delicious. Recommend 100%
Bought in Melbourne Beach, Florida
Ellen
Absolutely the best apple I’ve had in a long time! I picked them up at Aldi’s in Auburndale FL.
Eric Samuelson
Thanks for sharing. I didn't know they ended up at ALDI!
Brenda
How do they compare to McIntosh?
Eric Samuelson
I would say they are quite different in taste. They are closer to being like a sweeter Pink Lady. There are sweeter and more crisp than a McIntosh.
Becky S Evans
I found my first bag of wild twist apples at a Kroger in Indianapolis in May of this year. Loved them! But cannot find more. Are they in Indianapolis now? Best Apple ever!
Kathleen Giampetro
Wild Twist apples are absolutely delicious. My first bite was amazing and I knew I had made a wonderful discovery. Pink Lady was my favorite apple but now is in second place. Wind Twist is a winner and will be my number one choice
Eric Samuelson
I am glad to hear you found them and are enjoying them.
Virginia
Purchased at Stop N Shop in NYC late Jan-early Feb 2023 and again late Feb. The Wild Twist apple is sweet and juicy, reminds me of a fresh glass of apple cider. In fact I emailed the farm in Lancaster where the apples are grown to let them know how excited I was about their apple variety and where I purchased them.
Eric Samuelson
Glad you found them and are loving them. I sure they appreciated you contacting them too.
Jeanie
Just had my first Wild Twist. I love a good Honey Crisp, but they're often too large. The combo of the Pink Lady and Honey Crisp makes for a perfect size. And the taste and texture were spot on. Not too sweet or tart, and not too soft or hard. Got it from our local Schnucks in St. Louis. I would buy it again.
Eric Samuelson
Thanks for sharing your experience. I agree on that Honeycrisp often being too large. I get tired of chewing them after a while.
Kathryn
My husband has a friend who drives truck and hauled a load of Wild Twist. He gave us some and now they are my number one favorite apple. Any chance the trees will be available for sale for home growing?
Eric Samuelson
I am glad you discovered them. I highly doubt you would be able to get a treat. Most of these varieties are only licensed out to be grown by particular orchards.
Sheryl
Hi. Just tried a Wild Twist I bought at a Safeway in Northern Virginia. I have to say I was not impressed. It was only mildly sweet. Had none of the complexities of apples like MacIntosh or Emplre. It was crisp and beautiful looking. To be fair, this is the only Wild Twist I have tried, so perhaps it was just a "bad apple," tastewise. Harris Teeter has some for sale, so I may give it another go.
Eric Samuelson
I am glad you got to give it a try. Thanks for sharing. I always like to give an apple more one than 1 shot to be sure I like or don't like it, so I think that's a good plan. You may just discover it's not your up of tea either and that's ok.
Patricia
Eric - Hi !~ I am the worlds fussiest eater. I hate everything. I do eat an apple every day. Never miss. The Wild Twist apples are wonderful. Very crisp too. Beautiful red skin. As I may be a Super Taster, I do no do sour or bitter. First time visiting your site. I too like to eat seasonally. My husband enjoys gardening. Lucky us ! Peace.
Eric Samuelson
I think that is a ringing endorsement of the Wild Twist apple. Thanks for sharing.