Explore Our Apple Varieties

Gala

Crisp, mildly sweet, and one of Canada’s most popular apples, Gala is known for its thin skin and attractive red-striped coloring. It’s a versatile variety that appeals to a wide audience, making it a strong retail favourite. Harvest begins in early September, and Galas are excellent for eating fresh or slicing into salads.

Honeycrisp

Honeycrisp is a premium variety that has rapidly grown into one of the most sought-after apples worldwide. Known for its explosive crunch and balanced sweet-tart flavor, it commands a higher retail price and is consistently a top seller. Honeycrisp harvests in mid-September and is best enjoyed fresh.

Ambrosia

A Canadian-discovered variety, Ambrosia is sweet, low in acidity, and slow to brown when cut, making it a consumer favourite for snacking and lunchboxes. Its bi-color skin — a blend of blush red over creamy yellow — makes it stand out on shelves. Harvest typically occurs in late September.

Sunpunch

A newer variety with bright, tropical-like sweetness, Sunpunch apples bring something unique to the market. Their crisp texture and sunny flavor profile make them ideal for fresh eating and specialty retail programs. Harvest timing is similar to Ambrosia, in late September.

Emerald Crisp™ (Exclusive to Gibson Farms)

Emerald Crisp™ is Gibson Farms’ signature green apple variety, bred for a vibrant emerald skin and a crisp, refreshing bite. The traditional green apple, Granny Smith, is harvested too late to grow in our cooler Canadian climate, which has led to importing millions of pounds of green apples from the U.S. The Emerald Crisp™ provides a superior eating experience, high acidity, excellent shelf life, and a uniquely Canadian alternative. Known as “Canada’s Green Apple.”

Pink Lady (Cripps Pink)

Known for its firm bite and sweet-tart balance, Pink Lady is a late-season apple that stores exceptionally well. Its bright pink blush and distinctive flavour profile make it a premium choice for retail. Harvest begins in late October, and it’s excellent for eating fresh or slicing into salads.

Fuji

Originating from Japan, Fuji is one of the sweetest apple varieties available. It has a dense, crunchy texture and high natural sugar content, making it ideal for fresh eating and juicing. Fuji harvests late in the season (October) and is valued for its long storage life.

Rave (MN55)

An early-season apple developed by the same breeders as Honeycrisp, Rave is juicy, tart, and refreshing. Harvesting in late August, it reaches the market ahead of most varieties, giving retailers an early premium option. Its vibrant flavour makes it perfect for snacking and cider blends.

Red Delicious

Once the most recognized apple in North America, Red Delicious remains a classic. With its deep red skin and mild flavour, it still appeals to certain retail segments. It’s harvested in mid-to-late September and is primarily marketed as a fresh-eating apple.

Golden Delicious

A versatile variety with golden skin and a sweet, mellow flavour, Golden Delicious is excellent for fresh eating, baking, and cider. It’s often used as a parent variety in new apple breeding because of its well-balanced characteristics. Harvest comes in late September.

Paula Red

An early-season apple, Paula Red is among the first to be harvested (late August). It has a tart flavour that mellows quickly, making it good for fresh eating in the first weeks of the season and excellent for pies and applesauce.

Cortland

Cortland is a heritage Canadian variety known for its bright white flesh that resists browning, making it ideal for salads, fruit trays, and baking. With a slightly tart flavour, it harvests in mid-September and remains a staple for both fresh use and processing.

McIntosh

The classic Canadian apple, McIntosh has been grown for over 200 years and remains a staple in Eastern Canada. It has a tender white flesh, juicy texture, and tangy-sweet flavour that mellows in storage. Harvesting in mid-September, McIntosh is excellent for fresh eating, cider, and cooking — and is beloved for its traditional place in Canadian orchards.

Ginger Gold

One of the first apples of the season, Ginger Gold is prized for its crisp bite, pale golden skin, and sweet-tart flavour. It ripens in mid-to-late August, giving retailers an early premium apple before the main harvest season begins. Ginger Gold is excellent for fresh eating and holds its texture well in salads, making it a strong early-market variety.