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What is a Sugar Bee Apple?

Published: · Modified: by Eric Samuelson

Learn all about the apple that was created by the bees that in my opinion is an even better apple than a Honeycrisp!

An overhead picture of Sugar Bee apples on burlap with the bag in the bottom of the photo.

What can I say? When I see an apple I have not tried before I am a like a kid at Christmas time. I can't wait to unwrap the flavor that it inside these wonderful pieces of fruit. Thanks to all the companies that keep releasing new varieties on the world. You keep making it Christmas over and over again.

The newest gift I have received is the Sugar Bee apple. Check out the cute little bee on the PLU sticker.

A single Sugar Bee apple with the PLU sticker featuring a cartoon bee on it.
3486 is the new number you cashiers need to learn.
Jump to:

📜 History

The Sugar Bee apple is the latest Honeycrisp cross to hit the market place. It is unknown what other apple is it crossed with. This new apple was created by the bees doing their job of pollinating the apple blossoms. A new apple was discovered from that work. That's the reason for the "bee" name. The sugar comes from this being a pretty sweet apple. A very easy name to say and market. A lot easier than Niedzwetzkyana which remains the only apple variety I cannot pronounce.

Sugar Bee apples ripen near the end of September.They store well so you can enjoy them in the winter.

❓ How Different from a Honeycrisp?

Appearance wise the two apples look a lot a like. I bet the majority of people could not tell them apart. This similar appearance I believe gives them a leg up in marketing the apple. People already love a similar looking apple.

I found the Sugar Bee apple to have a thinner skin than the Honeycrisp. Sugar Bee is more sweet. As far as crispiness, the Sugar Bee is a pretty crisp apple. I don't think it quite has that same bite as Honeycrisp, but to be honest I think Honeycrisp can be too crisp at times and I simply get tired of eating one, particularly when they are large Honeycrisp.

The big advantage Sugar Bee has over it's parent is that the quality of the apple lasts longer. Honeycrisp are pretty much available year round now but they aren't that good after a few months. Once you get winter, the flavor is muted. In a head to head competition between a Sugar Bee and a Honeycrisp done right now, I would bet my money on Sugar Bee being the better apple to eat in January.

🎧 Listen to our podcast episode on the Future of Honeycrisp.

My daughter sitting at a table holding a Sugar Bee apple next to a vase of cut flowers.
My daughter was really excited about Sugar Bee apples. She really loved them and was begging for more.

🚜 Where Are They Grown?

The variety was discovered in Minnesota. It is now being grown commercially in Washington by Chelan Fresh. Their growers have found that the apple performs perfectly in their climate (warm summer days, cool evening breezes).

⭐ Ratings

Here is what I thought when I had this apple for the first time.

Tart4
Sweet7
Juiciness8
Flavor7
Crispiness9

I have gotten so many comments over the years about this apple. People just love it. Numerous people have told me they aren't big apple eaters but they do like Sugar Bee! I believe it's a good, sweet apple. I prefer it over Honeycrisp myself. The flavor isn't always as consistent as I would like, but I have never had a bad one.

Eating Tips - Whenever you can, eat your apple at room temperature. You can pick the fragnance of the apple better when it's not ice cold and I think this will improve the flavor. Smell is a factor in how something tastes. For more on getting how to know when an apple is perfect to eat, check out this post

A bags of Sugar Bee Apples pictured in the grocery store. The bag has honeycombs on it and a cartoon bee holding an apple.

🛒 Where to Buy

Check out these stores to see if they currently have Sugar Bee apples in stock.

  • Albertsons
  • Cub Foods
  • Food Lion
  • Giant
  • Hagens
  • Harmons
  • Harris Teeter
  • Kroger
  • Jewel-Osco
  • Lidl
  • Mac's Fresh Market
  • Nob Hill Foods
  • Plum Market
  • Publix
  • Raleys
  • Randazzo's
  • Safeway
  • Shaw's
  • Shoprite
  • Sprouts
  • Walmart
  • Winco
  • Vons

Before 2019, they weren't super easy to find. But now I find them without too much trouble, especially December through February.

Containers of Ryan's Brand Sugar Bee Apple Cider Blend at a Walmart store.
Ryan's Juices in a collaboration with Chelean Fresh has released an apple cider blend containing Sugar Bee apples.

🧃 Apple Cider

In January 2019, I discovered a blend of apple cider that contain Sugar Bee apples. I saw sitting atop a cooler at a local Walmart store. Of course I had to try it and turned out it's pretty good. If you spot it yourself, give it a try. I don't see it very often.

🎧 Podcast Episode - The Children of the Honeycrisp

Listen to me talk about the different types of apples that have been made by crossing another apple with a Honeycrisp by clicking the play button below.

Listen to more episodes of the Eat Shop Waste Not

Other Apples You Might Like

If you are a fan of Sugar Bee, here are some other apples you should check out as well:

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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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dee

    I'm intrigued by the sugar bee apple. I've found the honeycrisp not that sweet during winter. Where can I find sugar bees in Virginia? I live in the Hampton Roads area.
    Thanks. Love your blog. Very informative.

  2. Deloris

    I am eating a sugarbee apple as we speak this apple is far better than the Honeycrisp. I found it at our local Safeway stores here in Oakland, California. I only purchased one because it was a new apple and I wanted to taste it. I'm going to get more. Oh My!

  3. Jennifer

    I just got a sugar bee apple. My favorite by far! I live in Oregon

  4. Db

    Found Sugar Bee apples at Winco in Washington State.

  5. KA

    Found Sugar Bee at Walmart in Toledo. Haven't tried yet. Honey crisp was my favorite but recently found Koru which I love.

  6. Carrie

    I just tried the Sugar Bee Apple and WOW! It is crisp and sweet with a very nice texture. I usually buy Honey Crisp or Pink Lady apples for the sweet tart bite but the Sugar Bee is absolutely delicious! Flavor is more on the sweet side sans tart but I find it very refreshing and will buy more. I found the Sugar Bee Apples at Sprouts in California.

  7. Michele

    My new favorite apple. So crisp and sweet. Bought at Von's in Nipomo Ca.

  8. Elizabeth

    Sugar Bee apples are fantastic! Bought them at Raleys in Citrus Heights (burb of Sacramento) excellent taste! Crisp, Crunchy, Dense and super sweet!
    I can’t wait to buy more!
    I like honey crisps, pink ladies, opals, ambrosias( super dense crunchy not as sweet as Sugar bee!)
    Sugar Bee ? is number One in my ?!
    I eat an apple ? a day so thank you ?? for this wonderful creation!
    La Profesora

  9. JeffP

    This apple is one of the best I have ever tasted. I grew up in Michigan and had a apple farm, my favorite was a Jonathan until I tasted this luscious beauty. Good flavor and packed with juice. I found this at the newest Sprouts in Nashville TN on Hwy 70 S. I am going back to buy more now that I know they keep well!!!.

  10. Jk

    Just bought a bag of sugar bee apples. Yum. I also love smitten apples.

  11. Monica Richards

    I found Sugar Bee apples at Sprouts in Santa Clara. I still like the Honeycrisp better but this is a good apple!

  12. Rachel Blanks

    I am eating one as a reply! Fantastic taste! I can’t await to bake with these!

  13. Elisa Later

    The Sugar Bee Apple is the best apple I have ever eaten in America! I will be eating lots of them ! You must try!
    Happy Eating!

  14. Eric Samuelson

    Glad that you were able to find it. Thanks for sharing.

  15. Debra DeLulio

    I found Sugar Bee apples at Albertsons in Henderson NV! I usually buy Fuji but these are my new favorite!

  16. Dave

    I am eating a Sugar Bee Apple right now. It is awesome. I bought a bunch from Hagen's in Snohomish WA.

  17. Eric Samuelson

    Thanks for sharing.

  18. Eric Samuelson

    Glad you could find them.

  19. Eric Samuelson

    Thanks for sharing where you got Sugar Bee apples.

  20. Eric Samuelson

    Thanks for sharing where you found Sugar Bee apples

  21. Sunny

    I found sugarbee apples at central market Seattle.
    But then they were all gone.

    sugarbee apples are the best !! I was a die hard Fuji apple fan , but now Sugarbee is my favorite.
    Although you have to eat them fresh . I had one apple fall behind some other apples and when I found it I was so happy. The taste was still great , but when I ate them fresh they were way more amazing . Sweet , crunchy and just delicious.

  22. Char

    Just took my first bite ever of a sugar bee. It truly is sweet. As sweet as Fuji with more bite. Found these gems at Walmart last night.

  23. Jocelyn Page

    We are obsessed with Honey Crisp apples in my house. II was at Wal Mart finishing up some last minute Christmas stocking shopping when I spotted a bag of SugarBee apples and they looked so close to the beloved HoneyCrisp I bought them! They are definitely sweeter than the HC but I prefer the crunch of the HC. I love them both and will continue to buy them as long as I can find them. Mine were purchased from Wal Mart in Huntington WV on December 23, 2018.

  24. Tahnea Locklear

    This is the best apple I've ever eaten and I basically just do not like apples, though I force myself to eat them for health reasons. This variety is sweet, delicious and crisp yet has a bit of juice. It's amazing. I was gifted a bag of Sugar here apples here in Bloomington, Indiana.

  25. Mary

    Sugarbees are available in Minnesota at Cub Foods!

  26. Katie

    I live in Evansville Indiana. I bought the surger bee apple at Walmart. I absolutely love it. And can’t find them anywhere. I’m not usually a big apple eater. But i bought 3 bags and ate them all.. Could you tell me when they will be back in at Walmart or any store . I love the so much. Thank you. Katie

  27. Eric Samuelson

    It's possible they will get more Sugar Bee apples in. Keep checking.

  28. Cheri

    I thought the flavor was excellent, sweet but with some tartness to balance it. It was certainly crisp, but I thought the flesh was coarser than a Honeycrisp, and the skin on mine was much tougher than HC (still my fave). I would note that the quality of apples depends a lot on the care taken in the packing/shipping/shelving chain--if they're not kept cold the entire time, even Sugar Bee apples suffer.

  29. Pam

    I found the sugarbee Apple at our local Cub in New Brighton Mn. It is the best apple I have ever eaten!! Super crisp and sweet!

  30. Christine

    Discovered these at Nob Hill Foods in Hollister, CA. Very unhappy not to them in WA State (Bellingham) until I spied them on Tuesday at Hagen for $3.99 per pound. Would love to buy a tree.

  31. alan B

    i live in huntersville nc. i found a bag of sugarbees. i only shop at Food Lion/Harris Teeter/Walmart so it had to be one of those three. SOOOOO crisp! loved it. only found it once, though. Never again. I see it is a hybrid cross with Honeycrisp, so I guess I'll go back to eating those.

  32. richard albert

    discovered Sugarbees recently at Mac's Fresh Market in Camden, Arkansas. they are what apples are all about. wow!!!

  33. Amanda Morse

    I'm eating one right now and I'm in Walla Walla Washington, It was a new apple for me so I looked it up and found this video. I LOVE IT! The flesh has an almost yellow tint to it making it look golden with a bright red skin. Extremely sweet but with a small bite at the finish. Try one! So good.

  34. Marc Julius

    Every time I come across a new Honeycrjsp hybrid, I try it. I always come back to Honeycrisp, which has imo the best combination of sweetness, texture, flavor and bite. Until now, that is. I just had my first Sugar Bee apple, and I was blown away. First of all it is very visually appealing, with its beautiful golden flesh against its red skin. The flavor, though, is the true knockout. It is sweeter and juicier than Honeycrisp, and with the same characteristic snap. It also keeps for week in the refrigerator with no discernable loss of quality. I love it and will buy it every chance I get.

  35. Debbie Purdue

    I bought one to try just a couple days ago at Randazzo's produce market in Westland, Michigan. Looking forward to eating it now after seeing this website!

  36. Heidi

    I live in Colorado and just discovered them at my local Sprouts Market. Can't wait to try it!

  37. Lester

    Like one of the posters above stated--I'm not a huge apple fan at all and I mainly buy them to eat healthy. But, for whatever reason, I purchased two Sugar Bees out of the large selection here at my Oakland Safeway. Two days had passed and I saw the apples in my kitchen and figured there's no way they'd be anything close to fresh. I ate both in the same day. Those were THEE best apples I've ever had. Bar none. Never had anything like these as a child either!!! A thin skin, a crisp snap--and SWEET!!! So I went back today and both a couple more hoping those first two weren't a fluke. OMG, the one I'm eating now seems even better than either of the first two!! I sure hope popularity doesn't drive the price up. Go Sugar Bee!!!!

  38. Karen

    Amazingly good! How an apple should taste!

  39. Eric Samuelson

    I am glad that you found them.

  40. Verlinda Stone-Teller

    WOW!!! this apple is the best ove ever had!!!! I found this apple at Harmons here in SLC, UT.... and i was blown away!!!! I love honey crisps and pink ladies BUT this apple has replaced them both as #1 in my book! Sweet and so juicy.... it tasted heavenly!!! I want to go and get more now! And im actually worried they might be all gone...its so good!
    This apple has made me a apple person. Before I wasall about cars cara oranges and bananas.... well now ... I'm all about that SugarBee apple as well!!! keep em coming, year round if possible....and in more stores too!!!

  41. KDubb

    OMG...These are the best apples I've tasted. I am still a big fan of the Honeycrisp but now I have a new favorite. I found these in my local grocery store Giant in Maryland. I love trying mew fruit and very glad I picked these up. Can't wait to come across the cider.

  42. Edward L Quintana

    I spotted this apple at Sprouts in Santa Fe New Mexico last month. I bought as many as I could carry. I found the last four at the store just yesterday. Wish I had a 50 pound sack!!

  43. Ed Shapiro

    My son and I love finding new apple varieties. We found Sugar Bees at our local Sprouts market in So Cal. It instantly became our favorite apple of all time! Unfortunately we were only able to get them for a few weeks. We're still finding other newbies like the Koru, Ambrosia, Pacific Rose and Ruby Frost. All good but none as good as the Sugar Bee.

  44. Eric Samuelson

    I am glad that you trying new varieties. It's super fun. The Sugar Bee is my favorite of the ones you mentioned too.

  45. Patty Frala

    We are sold on Sugar Bee apples. Best we have ever had, including the Envy variety from New Zealand. However, the store (Harp's) in Fort Smith, AR where we had bought them are no longer carrying them. Are they out of season? Anyway, I will keep checking back, ever hopeful.

  46. Eric Samuelson

    Unfortunately they are out of season right now. I haven't seen any in quite a long time. You probably have to wait until the fall again to get your Sugar Bee fix!

  47. Jennifer

    I love a Sugar Bee. It is now my favorite with Honeycrisp being a close second. I found it last fall at Harbor Greens market in University Place, Washington. Can’t wait for them to be back in season.

  48. Christopher Hall

    Eating one right now. So delicious. Crisp, sweet, juicy - it has become one of my favorites. Found at Jewel Osco in Illinois, I hope they do stay around for a while.

  49. Brenda Watkins

    One of the best apples I have ever eaten! Just the right amount of sweetness and great crispness!!

  50. Ed Brown

    Picked up one Sugarbee at Wrays here in Yakima, WA Nice crunch, super flavor. Very attractive .. skin a bit tough but a super, super apple over all!!

  51. Vicki Mavroudis

    My co-worker found these at Lucky markets in the SF Bay Area. I was the lucky recipient of one of these amazing apples and immediately went in search of more - was pleasantly surprised to find them at Lundardi’s - one of our local markets. Will be looking forward to more next fall!

  52. merry russell

    LOVE THIS APPLE. IT'S CRISPY,SWEET AND OH SO JUICY. I LIVE IN HAMPTON COUNTY IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND I PICKED UP A 2LB BAG OF THESE APPLES FROM FOOD LION. YOU WON'T GO WRONG WITH THESE APPLES THERE DELICIOUS!

  53. James Horan

    I tried the Sugar Bee apple for the first time today & am very happy with the results ! I was so happy with the results that I ate 2, a couple of hours apart, not one right after another. Luckily I happened to by a bag of them. The skin is thin, the texture is crisp & the Sugar Bee apple is very sweet & rivals a Honey Crisp in season. The bees get 90% of the credit on this one, which is kind of not giving enough credit to the farmers who manage their orchards so we consumer's have a choice. James Horan

  54. Eric Samuelson

    Glad you found it and loved it.

  55. Eric Samuelson

    Thanks for sharing your find.

  56. Eric Samuelson

    Thanks for letting us know where you found Sugar Bee apples.

  57. rcalvillo2012

    I live in Manassas, Va and I came across the Sugar Bee apple through a promotion our local Giant grocery store was having that introduced this so very delicious apple to me. I am an apple "snob" with a liking to Red Delicious and nothing else, until now. Once I bit into this apple I immediately took to it literally after just one bite. I bought a couple of them after my great apple experience and took them to share with my family. My 5 and 12 year old boys immediately loved this apple. My 5 year old; the pickiest of the two when it comes to apples, told me "daddy I really love this apple it is so yummy". Well that right there set me and my family as new fans to the Sugar Bee apple. I will be looking for this apple again plus the Sugar Bee cider. We are new Sugar Bee apple fans here in Virginia!

  58. Eric Samuelson

    I am excited to hear that you found a new favorite!

  59. Beth

    Discovered these at Lidl. (Virginia Beach, VA)

  60. Eric Samuelson

    Thanks for sharing. I haven't been to Lidl as of yet, but looking to check it out some day.

  61. Jennifer Bhoola

    O.m.g. wow. ?? Found them at local GIANT grocery stores in Horsham PA.

  62. Eric Samuelson

    Thanks for sharing Jennifer. Glad you got to taste and see how good they are.

  63. Mary Dennis

    I tried a Sugar Bee apple for the first time, and I just loved the flavor, juiciness, and crunch. I found this brand at a Shaw's Super Market in Laconia, NH.

  64. Eric Samuelson

    Glad you got to experience the Sugar Bee. It's a winner for sure.

  65. Chris Kosier

    I found it at Sprouts grocery store in Tampa, FL. It is my favorite apple ever!

  66. Eric Samuelson

    Awesome. I am glad to hear you found it.

  67. Khor AS

    Nice, sweet and crispy apple. A
    ll of our family members love it. Great !

  68. Marilyn Raff

    I just bought t hem to add to my apple pie, so I'll taste them and put them in the pie, along with other apples since diversity is best in apple pie!

  69. Eric Samuelson

    I would love to hear how they do in the pie!

  70. Marilyn Raff

    I ate the pie yesterday, and it was delicious, But too, I added assorted apples so not just Sweet Bee. But, I ate one sweet bee apple raw, and they are my current new favorite apple!! thanks for checking out my site!

  71. kim zabilowski

    I just ate a suger bee apple and loved it! I am always on the lookout for new kinds of apples. I love honeycrisp too but I think this is my new favorite because it is so crisp and sweet! I really like your site and will be coming back for more information.
    I bought the sugar bee in CT at a whole foods store

  72. Eric Samuelson

    Thank you!
    And I am glad you found the Sugar Bee!

  73. Gail Gi

    Wow! Amazing flavor! Bought my apples at co-op grocery store in Medicine Hat Alberta Canada ! A bit pricey but well worth the cost!

  74. Eric Samuelson

    Glad you found them up in Canada.

  75. Jamie

    Tried a sugar bee for the first time and it’s the best apple I’ve ever had!! Will be buying again from my local grocery store here in NY:)

  76. MayJimmy

    Omg! This Sugarbee Apple is blowing our mind. My husband picked them up first time at the grocery store near by. We’ve in love with it since.

  77. Jan

    I work at Shoprite in East Haven, CT. Always trying out new apples. My faves were Macouns and Honeycrisp. Sugarbees just came in, first time we carried them. Bought one and def buying a sack tom. Crisp and juicy, best apple I've tried yet! Thank you, bees, for the happy accident! BTW, ate they good as apie apple?

  78. Eric Samuelson

    Thanks for sharing. I like Macouns too when you get them at their peak.

  79. Eric Samuelson

    Glad you found a new favorite.

  80. loreen812

    This is my favorite apple of all time! I found them at Kroger (I am near Lansing, MI). They are not cheap but so worth it! An apple a day keeps the doctor away right?

  81. Mark

    I am addicted to this Apple. They cost a lot, here in Arizona. Nothing better then a huge, crispy sweet apple. Just at one. Honey crisp are nice but they are no comparison. I have yet to find a better tasting with a great crunch/snap to it. My next pie might be made with this apple…

  82. Eric Samuelson

    Hi Mark. Thanks for sharing. They can be expensive, hopefully you can find a sale from time to time.

  83. Dianne M. Beattie

    I am so addicted to the Sugarbee apple.,They are so crisp and sweet and absolutely delicious I have been eating them for two months now since I discovered them in our local Grocery Store Metro in Thunder Bay Ontario Canada!!! I hope they are available for a long time. Started in May 2022. Website is Eat Like No One Else

  84. Eric Samuelson

    Thanks for sharing your love for them.

  85. Kristi

    The Sugar Bee apple is my favorite! I buy them at Woodman's in Eau Claire, Wis. This is apple country and when all our fresh picked apples are eaten, I wait for them to show up at Woodmans. Enjoy! 🙂

  86. Eric Samuelson

    Thanks for sharing. And I love Woodman's! I listed them among my top 10 best grocery stores.

  87. Lois

    I ate my first SugarBee apple yesterday evening. It was so good! Beautiful red color, thin skin, crispiness was just right and the flavor and sweetness were out-of-this-world delicious! I've not had a better apple in years till this one showed up at Publix as a free sample. Excellent all the way around! I'm going to look for them now whenever I head to Publix, Sprouts, or Walmart to buy my foodstuff.

  88. Eric Samuelson

    Glad you found the apple and are enjoying it. It's one of the favorites of many of my readers.

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