Varieties

From just 30 acres in 1979 to a present day acreage of 200, Apple Wedge Packers continues to renovate their high-density apple orchards, keeping an eye on production and labor efficiency. The varieties of apples grown at Apple Wedge are great for fresh eating or cooking!

Of all the pies you could make, how are you going to beat it?

Fuji

Fuji apples have it all – they’re super sweet, wildly juicy, extremely crisp, and ideal for snacking. This Japanese apple has American parents, Red Delicious and Ralls Janet, an antique apple that goes back to the days of Thomas Jefferson and 1793.

Profile

Very sweet
Extremely juicy
Crisp, cream colored flesh

Best Uses

Excellent for eating and salads
Good for sauces

Special Hint

Fuji applesauce needs little or no sugar.

Availability

Early Fuji – Available September through December

Late Fuji – Available
October through December

Gala

A great choice for snacking, Gala is a variety developed in New Zealand. It’s got the mild flavor that “picky eaters” prefer, plus a striking bright yellow-red color that also makes it visually appealing.

From Our Family: We love using a gala for salads and a quick snack with peanut butter!

Profile

Mild sweet flavor
Juicy
Crisp, creamy yellow flesh

Best Uses

Excellent for eating and salads

Special Hint

Galas’ size, mellow flavor and thin skin make them a perfect choice for lunches and snacks for kids.

Availability

August through November

Honeycrisp

Sometimes the name of an apple says it all. Honeycrisp apples are honey sweet (with a touch of tart) and amazingly crisp. Kids love the taste, and it’s easy to see why this recent variety has continued to grow in popularity since its 1991 introduction in Minnesota. More Honeycrisp trees are being planted every year in North Carolina to increase the annual harvest.

From Our Family: Mom made apple butter for Christen and Myles’ wedding favors. It was a huge hit!

Profile

Complex, sweet-tart flavor
Juicy
Super-crisp yellow flesh

Best Uses

Excellent for eating and salads
Good for sauces, baking, and pies

Special Hint

These ultra-crisp apples appeal to children and teens. They’re a great way to encourage healthy snacking.

Availability

September through October

Golden Delicious

Ever hear that Golden Delicious is the yellow cousin of the popular Red Delicious apple? Actually, they are related in name only, but this honey sweet apple is a special treat all on its own.

Profile

Mild, sweet flavor
Juicy
Crisp, light yellow flesh

Best Uses

Excellent for eating, salads, and sauces
Good for pies, baking, and freezing

Special Hint

You can put less sugar in pies and sauces made from Golden Delicious apples, because of the natural sweetness these apples provide.

Availability

September through December

Red Delicious

These popular, mildly sweet apples are grown across the country. If you haven’t tried a North Carolina Red Delicious, you haven’t tried what we consider the best Delicious.

From Our Family: This is the choice pie apple of our Great Grandmother Alzie and Grandmommy Wilma.

Profile

Sweet
Juicy
Crisp, yellow flesh
Not tart in flavor

Best Uses

Excellent for eating and salads

Special Hint

Red Delicious apples look great for a long time, so they are an ideal choice for holiday centerpieces and wreaths.

Availability

October through Januaray

Granny Smith

Crisp and juicy. Good balance of tart and sweet. Perfect for baking, sautéing and snacking.

From Our Family: This is Mom’s favorite apple for making her famous apple sauce!

Profile

Uncompromising crispness with an enjoyable tart taste.

Best Uses

Great for baking, sautéing, and salads.

Special Hint

Pair with a sweet, red apple like Gala for colorful, flavorful salads.

Availability

October through December

Rome

Great-looking fried apple slices, sitting next to a pork chop, are probably Romes. These superb apples retain their shape and tart flavor beautifully when cooked. This old-time variety originated in Ohio in 1816 but is widely grown in NC.

Profile

Mild in flavor
Firm, greenish white flesh

Best Uses

Excellent for sauces, baking and pies
Good for salads and freezing

Special Hint

Combine Romes with a sweet apple, such as Golden Delicious, for a nicely tart’n’ tasty blended applesauce.

Availability

October through January

Evercrisp

Sweet, juicy and firm. This is a great apple for snacking and salads. Combining the best features of it parent varieties, Honeycrisp and Fuji.

Profile

Sweet, crisp, and firm, similar to Honeycrisp

Best Uses

Perfect treat for a holiday celebration
Excellent for eating and salads
Good for sauces, baking, and pies

Special Hint

These ultra-crisp apples appeal to children and teens. They’re a great way to encourage healthy snacking.

Availability

Limited Availability
October through November

Gingergold

Ginger Gold is an accidental seedling found near the Golden Delicious Orchard in Virginia in the 1960s. The color, shape, and unique long stems can all recognize as related to Golden Delicious.

Profile

Mild, more intense than Golden Delicious, but still sweet for the early varieties

Best Uses

It keeps well and will last several weeks in the fridge. It is equally good for eating fresh or processing.

Special Hint

It has a slightly tart taste and is very suitable for baking, cooking or as a snack.

Availability

August through September

Pink Lady

A medium-sized fruit that is a cross between the Golden Delicious and the Lady Williams apple. Great fresh eating apple.

From Our Family: Add a pinch of salt to your pink lady slice to expand its flavor range.

Profile

It is a firm, crisp apple with a white flesh, which has a tart-candy flavor

Best Uses

To maintain the taste of this apple, hold it refrigerated due to the fact that heat decreases texture and taste.

Special Hint

The apple is used for salads and pies.

Availability

November through January