Learn about when the giant Mutsu apples are in season and where you can look for them at.
My mother in law loves large apples. She likes to peel them, so a large apple is easier to do that.
If you are like her and love large apples as well, today, we are talking about one of the largest apples you are going to find - the Mutsu.
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📜 History
This apple was created by crossing the Indo apple with Golden Delicious. It was developed in Japan and is named after the Mutsu region in Japan. The apple also goes by the name Crispin, although I have never seen it labelled as such. I believe that name is more common in Europe.
Mutsu apples are normally harvested around the beginning to the middle of October. At the orchard I worked at one fall it was one of the last varieties to be ready to harvest.
👓 Appearance
The apple is mostly green in color with some russeting around the stem. While not all the apples are extra large, you find that a good portion of them are. Most are more of a taller shape then round.
When the apple begins to mature post harvest it will turn yellow, like the color of it's Golden Delicious parent.
RELATED - Learn about other apples varieties that are green besides Granny Smith.
⭐ Ratings
Here is how I would rate this apple on a scale of 1-10 on these 5 criteria.
| Tart | 4 |
| Sweet | 7 |
| Juiciness | 7 |
| Flavor | 7 |
| Crispiness | 7 |
This is a family favorite in our household. We love the sweet, crisp taste. When you get a good one it's one of the top apples.
🍏 What are Mutsu Best For?
While I have never baked with them, people do say that they hold their shape well when cooked. I typically prefer baking with more tart apples.
We only like the apples when they are green in color. As you can see in the photo below you can find them being sold as both green and yellow at the same time.
Eating Tips - If you want the most crisp apples, choose ones with the most green color. As they soften they turn yellow. I have never found a yellow one that had a good texture. But they are still good to use in applesauce. For more on getting how to know when an apple is perfect to eat, check out this post
They are said to be a good storage apple. I just have never store them very long as I don't enjoy the texture once yellow. At that point if I have them I turned them into applesauce. This works out well when you mix them with some tart apples.
🛒 Where to Buy
Mutsu have become a popular apple that many orchards grow. I don't see them in the grocery store nearly as much. The large growers don't seem to be growing them much.
Here is a list of some apple orchards you can find them at. If you know any that are not my list, please leave a comment below.
- Wasem Fruit Farm (Milan, MI)
- Johnston Fruit Farm (Swanton, OH)
- Kapnicks (Britton, MI)
- Rittman Orchards (Doylestown, OH)
- Fairmount Orchard (Walden, TN)
- Scott’s Orchard (Hazel Green, AL)
- Shade Tree Farm And Orchard (Adams, TN)
- Vintage Virginia Apples (North Garden, VA)
- D&D Gilberts Orchards (Hendersonville, NC)
- Carlson Orchards (Harvard, MA)
- Quarry Hills Orchards (Berlin Heights, OH)
- Indian Ladder Farms (Altamont, NY)
- George Hill Orchards (Lancaster, MA)
- Carter Hills Orchards (Concord, NH)
- Ponderosa Ridge (Placerville, California)
🍎 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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