All About the Cosmic Crisp® Apple

Looking for something special in an apple? The Cosmic Crisp® is a young lady, first out in society in 2019. She is a delight on the palate, sweet with a delicate crunch. She’s also a beauty, a true princess with dark burgundy skin, small yellow freckles, and firm cream-coloredflesh. I met her for the first time this year—alas, not at a ball, but in my kitchen. She was certainly a charmer.

What Are Cosmic Crisp® Apples?

According to Danielle Allen, the East Coast operations manager for The FruitGuys, which often includes Cosmic Crisp® apples in its office fruit mixes, “These unique apples are a cross of the Honeycrisp and Enterprise apple varieties.”

They were bred to have the best characteristics of each: the flavor and delightful crunch of the Honeycrisp, and the beauty and late-ripening characteristics of the Enterprise.

Creating the Cosmic Crisp® was a labor of love. After the initial cross-pollination, it took fruit breeders Bruce Barritt and Kate Evans more than 20 years of experimenting to bring the apple to market in 2019. They developed the fruit at Washington State University, and it’s the first commercial apple ever bred in the state of Washington. Only Washington farmers can grow it. The trees are drought-resistant, too, which is a plus in my book for our changing environment. They’re also non-GMO.

The Appearance of the Cosmic Crisp®

The Cosmic Crisp® name derives from the small yellow lenticels set against the attractive burgundy skin of the apple, which look a bit like stars in the night sky. Some apples also have yellow patches against the red, like supernovas. In my own taste-testing, I’ve found they are larger than the average apple.

Another special attribute of the Cosmic Crisp®, said Allen, “is that it does not get russeting, the rough brown patches that can plague other varieties, including the Honeycrisp.” It retains its beauty even when cut, as the flesh is oxidation-resistant and takes a long time to brown. When I tried the Cosmic Crisp ® myself, I kept an eye on the clock to see how long it took before the slices oxidized. After five hours, there was only a hint of discolorization. I kept some slices in a plastic bag in the fridge, and they retained their color after two days!

The Taste Profile of Cosmic Crisp® Apples

Cosmic Crisp® apples are known for their appealingly sweet flavor, perfectly offset by a touch of tartness. In a 2015 article in The New York Times, journalist David Carp describes the Cosmic Crisp® as “dramatically dark, richly flavored and explosively crisp and juicy.”

How does my own taste test compare? Holding up the two apples I purchased, I could see the night sky. One had rich burgundy skin, and the other the additional bright yellow patches. The decidedly crisp crunch of my first bite was delightful. The flesh was firm yet light. The apple’s flavor was sweet and floral, enhanced by a delicate tang. I appreciated the juiciness, which stopped short of running down my chin. In my book, the Cosmic Crisp® gets an A.

The Nutritional Profile of Cosmic Crisp® Apples

Cosmic Crisp® Apples are packed with nutrition, making them a healthy snack or addition to salads and even baked dishes. They’re also low in calories and high in fiber—even more reason to grab one! As the adage goes, an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Just one apple (140 g) offers:

• Calories: At only 100 calories per serving, they’re a light, healthy snack that keeps you feeling full.
• Protein: Each serving provides less than 1 g of protein, but this small amount still contributes to your daily requirement for muscle repair and growth.
• Fat: Only 0.5 g of fat makes these apples basically fat-free, and a heart-healthy snack.
• Carbohydrates: One apple has 24 g of carbohydrates, including natural sugars. They’re a good source of energy that won’t spike your blood sugar, since they pack so much dietary fiber.
• Dietary Fiber: One serving contains 6 g of fiber, or 22% of your daily recommended amount, which is why one apple keeps you feeling satiated despite the low calorie count. This is a hard snack to beat!
• Vitamin C: Most apples feature Vitamin C, primarily in the peel. This important vitamin supports your immune system, skin health, and iron absorption.
• Potassium: The 120 mg per serving of this crucial mineral helps regulate blood pressure, among many other benefits.
• Iron: One Cosmic Crisp® has 0.3 mg of iron, which helps your blood transport oxygen and contributes to overall cellular health.
• Sodium: They are sodium-free, so they won’t increase your blood pressure or risk of hypertension.
• Cholesterol: Last but not least, Cosmic Crisps® are cholesterol-free.

How to Eat a Cosmic Crisp®

I suggest eating this apple fresh for the best texture and flavor. Look for it in The FruitGuys’ fruit boxes for office snacking! The slices are also great in salads and on charcuterie boards since they’re so long-lasting. Although the Cosmic Crisp® wasn’t developed as a cooking apple, it retains a nice texture and sweetness when baked. Try it in an Apple and Pear Cobbler or Waldorf Salad.

FAQs

1. When are Cosmic Crisp® apples perfect for eating?

Pretty much all year round. Farmers typically harvest them in September and October. Since the Cosmic Crisp® stores unusually well, they taste great up to a year after harvest.

2. How should I store Cosmic Crisps®?

If you are going to eat them within a week or two, just leave them on the counter. If you need them to last longer, you can store them in the fridge to maintain their freshness for up to a month. If you want to cut slices to use the next day, refrigerate them in an airtight container overnight.