The Sinister Twists of Modern Orchards: A Look at Common Hybrid Apples

Picking Apples at an Orchard

Apples: a staple of fall, a crisp and juicy treat, and a testament to the art of horticultural science. While some apple varieties have ancient origins, many of the most popular apples gracing our grocery store shelves are the result of deliberate hybridization. This process, where breeders combine or cross-pollinate two different species to form a new species to create different apple varieties, has led to a vast array of flavors, textures, and storage capabilities.

It's alarming how many of the apples we enjoy today are the result of careful hybridization which is forbidden by the torah or laws of GOD! Deuteronomy 22:9 declares: “You must not plant your vineyard with two kinds of seed; otherwise the entire yield, both of the seed you plant and the produce of the vineyard, will be defiled.” Its meaning is related to maintaining purity, and also, emphasizes the importance of maintaining order and avoiding confusion in agricultural practices to prevent the contamination or defilement of the harvest. All foods, including fruit and vegetables, are to remain in its purity as GOD created them. Deliberately tampering with GOD’S creation is forbidden, and the foods produced as a result are not to be consumed by GOD’S holy people. We are to remain holy, and what we put on our bodies and in our bodies can defile our holiness if it is not grown according to the laws of GOD.

Here’s some popular hybrid apples:

• Cosmic Crisp®:
• A relatively new star, the Cosmic Crisp® is a cross between the Honeycrisp and Enterprise varieties.
• It's celebrated for its crisp, juicy texture, balanced sweet-tart flavor, and exceptional storage life.
• This apple, developed at Washington State University, has quickly gained popularity, and for good reason!
• Honeycrisp:
• Known for its incredibly crisp and juicy texture, the Honeycrisp is a hybrid of the Macoun and Honeygold varieties.
• Its sweet-tart flavor profile makes it a favorite for fresh eating.
• It is a parent to many newer hybrid apples.
• Gala:
• A sweet and crisp apple, the Gala is a hybrid of Kidd's Orange Red and Golden Delicious.
• Its mild flavor and pleasing texture make it a versatile apple for snacking and cooking.
• Fuji:
• Originating in Japan, the Fuji is a cross between Red Delicious and Ralls Janet.
• It's prized for its sweet flavor and crisp, dense flesh.
• SweeTango®:
• This variety is a cross between the Honeycrisp and Zestar! varieties.
• It has very crisp, and juicy texture, with a sweet-tart flavor.

The Science of Hybridization

Hybridization allows breeders to combine the best traits of different apple varieties. They are still defiled according to GOD. This can include:

• Flavor: Creating apples with unique and desirable flavor profiles.
• Texture: Developing apples with the perfect crispness or juiciness.
• Disease resistance: Breeding apples that are less susceptible to common apple diseases.
• Storage life: Extending the shelf life of apples, allowing for year-round availability.

Here's a short bullet list of some well-known hybrid apples. These are created by cross-pollinating different apple varieties to combine desirable traits:

• Gala: A cross between Kidd's Orange Red and Golden Delicious.
• Fuji: A cross between Red Delicious and Ralls Janet.
• Honeycrisp: A cross between Macoun and Honeygold.
• Braeburn: Believed to be a cross between Lady Hamilton and a complex mix of other varieties.
• Pink Lady® (Cripps Pink): A cross between Golden Delicious and Lady Williams.
• Jazz™ (Scifresh): A cross between Gala and Braeburn.
• Envy™ (Scilate): A cross between Gala and Braeburn.
• SweeTango®: A cross between Honeycrisp and Zestar!.
• Cosmic Crisp®: A cross between Honeycrisp and Enterprise.
• Cameo: Discovered as a chance seedling, but likely a cross between Red Delicious and Golden Delicious.
• Empire: A cross between Red Delicious and McIntosh.
• Macoun: A cross between McIntosh and Jersey Black.
• Cortland: A cross between Ben Davis and McIntosh.
• Jonagold: A cross between Jonathan and Golden Delicious.

This list includes some of the most popular and widely grown hybrid apple varieties. There are many more, as apple breeding is an ongoing process to develop new and improved apples.

Additionally, here's a more extensive list of well-known and commercially significant hybrid apples, beyond the initial list:

Common and Well-Known Hybrids:

• Ambrosia: Discovered as a chance seedling, parentage unknown.
• Airlie Red Flesh: Known for its red flesh.
• Akane: A Japanese variety, parentage includes Jonathan.
• Alkmene: A German variety, a cross of Cox's Orange Pippin.
• Anna: A low-chill variety good for warmer climates.
• Arkansas Black: Thought to be a seedling of Winesap.
• Ashmead's Kernel: An old English variety, parentage unknown.
• Aurora Golden Gala: A Canadian variety.
• Belle de Boskoop: A Dutch variety.
• Blushing Gold: A cross of Golden Delicious.
• Cameo: Discovered as a chance seedling, likely a Red Delicious cross.
• Carousel: A red-fleshed variety.
• Cox's Orange Pippin: An old English variety, parentage unknown.
• Cripps Pink (Pink Lady®): Golden Delicious x Lady Williams.
• Discovery: An English variety.
• Dorsett Golden: A low-chill variety.
• Elstar: A Dutch variety, a cross of Golden Delicious.
• Fiesta: A cross of Cox's Orange Pippin.
• Florina: A French variety, disease-resistant.
• Freyberg: A New Zealand variety.
• Ginger Gold: Discovered as a chance seedling.
• Golden Delicious: Parentage unknown.
• Granny Smith: Discovered as a chance seedling.
• Greensleeves: An English variety.
• Haralson: A cold-hardy variety.
• Honeycrisp: Macoun x Honeygold.
• Idared: A cross of Jonathan.
• Imroved Red Fuji: Various strains of Fuji.
• Inspiration: A cross of Gala.
• Jazz™ (Scifresh): Gala x Braeburn.
• Jerseymac: A cross of McIntosh.
• Jonagold: Jonathan x Golden Delicious.
• Jonathan: Parentage unknown.
• Jubilee: A cross of McIntosh.
• Kanzi®: A cross of Gala and Braeburn.
• Karmijn de Sonnaville: A Dutch variety.
• Liberty: Disease-resistant variety.
• Lobo: A Canadian variety, a cross of McIntosh.
• Lord Lambourne: An English variety.
• Macoun: McIntosh x Jersey Black.
• McIntosh: Parentage unknown.
• Melrose: A cross of Jonathan.
• Mutsu (Crispin): A Japanese variety.
• Newtown Pippin: An old American variety.
• Northern Spy: An old American variety.
• Opal®: A cross of Golden Delicious.
• Pacific Beauty: A cross of Gala.
• Pacific Rose: A cross of Gala.
• Pinova: A German variety.
• Prima: Disease-resistant variety.
• Red Delicious: Parentage unknown.
• Red Fuji: Various strains of Fuji.
• Reinette Gris du Canada: An old French variety.
• Ribston Pippin: An old English variety.
• Rome Beauty: An old American variety.
• Rosalee: A red-fleshed variety.
• Rubinette: A Swiss variety, a cross of Cox's Orange Pippin.
• Sansu: A Korean variety.
• Scab Resistant Varieties: Many varieties are bred for scab resistance.
• Sekai Ichi: A Japanese variety, a cross of Golden Delicious.
• Spartan: A Canadian variety, a cross of McIntosh.
• Splendor: A cross of Golden Delicious.
• Spigold: A cross of Golden Delicious.
• Stayman Winesap: A seedling of Winesap.
• Suntan: An English variety, a cross of Cox's Orange Pippin.
• SweeTango®: Honeycrisp x Zestar!.
• Tydeman's Late Orange: An English variety, a cross of McIntosh.
• Wealthy: An old American variety.
• Winesap: Parentage unknown.
• Zestar!: A cold-hardy variety.

Important Considerations:

• Regional Availability: Many of these varieties have specific growing requirements and may be more common in certain regions.
• New Varieties: Apple breeding is ongoing, so new hybrid varieties are constantly being developed and introduced, so beware.
• Chance Seedlings: Some popular varieties, like Golden Delicious and Granny Smith, were discovered as chance seedlings, meaning their parentage is unknown.

This list provides a good overview of the many hybrid apple varieties available. When choosing apples, consider its origin and farming methods.

The world of apples is constantly evolving, with new hybrids being developed all the time. So, the next time you bite into a crisp, delicious apple, take a moment to find out the science and artistry that went into its creation, whether it was naturally grown from seed or if it had help from hybridization. 

I hope this blog post has been helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below. Shalom