What Do Pink Luster Apples Taste Like?

Learn all about one of the newest varieties released by Cornell University, who has a long history of creating new varieties.

Jump to:

• Kicking Off a New Apple Season
• History of Pink Luster
• When are They Harvested?
• What Do They Taste Like?
• What are Pink Luster Best For?
• Where to Buy

History of Pink Luster

The Pink Luster apple is an apple that has been newly released. It was developed at Cornell University, which is known for many other apple varieties such as:

• SnapDragon
• RubyFrost
• Macoun
• Cortland
• Empire
• Jonagold

Its release was announced in 2020 - see something good did come out of the year. The apple was created by crossing two very popular varieties of apples - Honeycrisp and Gala. I have had many different Honeycrisp crossed apples, feels like every year I am trying more. This is the first one that I can think of that was Honeycrisp and Gala. I have had a couple different Honeycrisp and Fuji crosses like EverCrisp and Honeycrisp and Pink Lady - Wild Twist. So I was very interested to see how this crossing together would come out.

🎧 If you want to learn more about history of this apple and it's future outlook, check out my episode of the Apples from Yesterday to Tomorrow podcast, where I talk about Pink Luster.

When are They Harvested?

Pink Luster comes out around the same time as its parents, early-mid September. In 2025, I found them for the first time on September 3rd. It's pink color is unique during that time period as it's way before any Pink Lady apples would be harvested.

What Do They Taste Like?

Here is my review of Pink Luster apples (Rating Scale 1-10)

Crispiness	8
Tartness	6
Apple Flavor	7
Sweetness	6
Juiciness	7

I have to say this is a very good apple. I like it better than both its parents. The texture is firm and crisp. The cells don't burst in your mouth with juiciness like a Honeycrisp does. It's a different type of firm that I really appreciate. The actual flavor of the apple was good, not as rich as some heirloom apples I have had but enough flavor to be had. The day I tried them I also tried apples called Summerset, MJE, and Sweet Maia, and I thought Pink Luster was the best, just like the guy from the video that I watched from the farm market.

What are Pink Luster Best For?

This is a great out of hand eating apple, particularly for someone who likes a firm apple that has a bit more tart flavor to it. It's not just a simple sweet apple variety.

As for baking, I haven't tested this apple yet. I think the tart-sweet balance of it, would make it an interesting choice for baking.

Where to Buy

Here are some places that you may be able to find Pink Luster apples at:

• Bauman's Farm Market (Gervais, OR)
• Fulton Family Farms (Dayton, OR)
• Hidden Gem Orchard (Southbury, CT)
• Ochs Orchard (Warwick, NY)
• Kuipers Family Farm (Maple Park, IL)
• Our Family's Harvest (Slingerlands, NY)
• Summersweet Orchard (Caledonia, MI)
• Milk Pail (Water Mill, NY)
• Hanulcik Farm Market (Ionia, MI)

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.