Braeburn apples: A crisp, sharp, apple variety

Looking for a classic apple variety with an intense flavor that’s not overly sweet? It’s time to try the Braeburn Apple!

Braeburn Apples are known for their zesty flavor, crisp texture, and excellent baking characteristics. These apples are quite large and sport an attractive striped red and yellow peel. The taste of this sweet-tart variety is fresh and citrusy, with a hint of autumn spice. With such an incredible flavor profile (combined with the nice firm texture), Braeburn Apples make some of the best apple pie filling there is!

There are lots of characteristics to love about Braeburn apples. Read on to learn all about these tasty beauties!

The origin of Braeburn apples

The Braeburn apple is from New Zealand, where the original tree was discovered about 70 years ago.

Braeburn apples were discovered growing on a wild seedling tree in the early 1950s by farmer O. Moran. The “chance seedling” likely grew all on its own from a fallen apple. The new seedling was propagated and grown commercially in Braeburn Orchard, and has been known as the Braeburn ever since!

“1952: Braeburn discovered on property of O. Moran in Upper Moutere, Nelson; first grown commercially by William Bros., Braeburn Orchards”

Key events in history of New Zealand pipfruit industry, Overview of the New Zealand Apple Industry In A Global Context, December 2006, Pipfruit New Zealand

The apples were special because they had a peel that was patterned with both red and green, rather than just one solid color. They also had a complex flavor that exceeded the other apples commonly grown at the time. Even as modern apple breeding advances, the wild Braeburn remains a worldwide favorite.

Braeburn apples are not genetically-modified (they are not GMO). This apple variety is one of the types of apples that was a spontaneous creation of nature that just happened to be discovered, propagated, and cultivated by humans. The wild tree is a “chance seedling”, and was not bred intentionally.

Offspring varieties of the Braeburn

There are several famous offspring varieties of which Braeburn is a parent. The trademarked types Envy, Jazz, Sweetie, and Kanzi apples are offspring of Braeburn (mainly crossed with Gala Apples).

Parent varieties of the Braeburn apple

The exact parentage of Braeburn apples is unknown. Popular speculation is that its a cross between Lady Hamilton and Granny Smith, as these varieties were grown in the area where the seedling tree was discovered:

“Possibly an open pollinated seedling of Lady Hamilton x Granny Smith”

Key events in history of New Zealand pipfruit industry, Overview of the New Zealand Apple Industry In A Global Context, December 2006, Pipfruit New Zealand

What do Braeburn apples taste like?

Braeburn apples typically have a sweet-tart fresh apple flavor. These apples are crisp, sharp, juicy, and aromatic.

The taste is almost citrus-like, with a zesty acidic tang. There are also spicy notes of cinnamon and nutmeg, making Braeburn apples taste like autumn in an apple. Really fresh Braeburn apples can have a bit of a honey-like taste similar to pear, which beautifully offsets the acidity of the flesh. That said, they certainly are not one of the sweetest apple varieties.

Braeburn apples are at the peak of flavor when freshly picked. The best Braeburns have been allowed to ripen on the tree so that the sweetness and red peel can develop fully. There is nothing like a crisp, cool apple on a fall morning, picked straight from the tree! Apples that have been picked early for commercial storage may not have quite as good flavor as those picked when perfectly ripe.

The rich, balanced taste is considered to be more complex and desirable than many other cultivated varieties of apple. The Braeburn apple is therefore often used in modern breeding programs to create new varieties.

“A Braeburn is a reliably satisfying eating experience and a supermarket manager’s dream. Unlike some of the other modern apples, which seem to fancy themselves crunchy mangoes, Braeburns are emphatically appley.”

Apples Of Uncommon Character: 123 Heirlooms, Modern Classics, & Little-Known Wonders, by Rowan Jacobsen

Braeburn apple peel

Braeburn apples are mainly red but have a yellow-green background color. The yellow portion of the apple is typically around the stem/core, with streaks of red that point inwards.

Braeburns that have been allowed to ripen on the tree typically have more red on their peel. The intensity of red is also affected by autumn temperatures.

Where are Braeburn apples grown?

Braeburn apples are widely grown in their native New Zealand and are also grown in Australia, the USA, Canada, Chile, the UK, France, and Italy. This variety is best grown in warm apple-growing regions, similar to Fuji or Granny Smith apples. Apples from the US/Canada/EU are generally available October-March, while New Zealand/Australian apples are sold during April-September.

Harvest season for Braeburn apples

Harvest season for Braeburn apples occurs in mid-autumn in apple-growing regions and is typically considered a late-season apple. Apples grown in North America are harvested during September-October. European-grown Braeburns are harvested in October-November. This variety ripens in late March-April in its native New Zealand. Braeburns grown in Chile ripen in June.

Additional Reading: When to Pick Apples – A Harvest Season Guide

Tips for buying Braeburn apples

Braeburn apples are available at some grocery stores, specialty markets, and from orchardists during harvest season. There are about two whole apples in one pound of Braeburn apples. Each single Braeburn apple weighs approximately 1/2 a pound (see photos at the end of this article). These are big apples!

Braeburn apples generally cost about $2 per pound at the grocery store. Every single apple, therefore, costs about a dollar. Prices are generally best right after harvest season (in October and in May).

Wondering why there are no Braeburn apples at your local grocery store? If you can’t find Braeburn apples locally, it may simply be that their offspring varieties have taken their place on the shelves. Choose a modern offspring variety like Jazz Apples, Envy Apples, or Kanzi Apples as a substitute for old-fashioned Braeburn Apples.

How to grow Braeburn apples

Braeburn Apples are one of the easiest varieties of apples to grow. They’re relatively adaptable and tend to produce large crops once established. Braeburn Apple trees are sometimes available at local nurseries and can also be purchased online.

Braeburn Apple trees grow best in warm climates that don’t get too cold or too hot, or USDA Zones 5-8. Requiring about 700 chilling hours over winter, this tree isn’t the most heat-tolerant, but it certainly is among the types with lower requirements for winter chill hours.

While Braeburn Apple trees are somewhat self-fertile, it is very helpful to plant a second, different tree nearby to help with pollination of the apple blossoms to set fruit. Good pollinator partner varieties for Braeburn include Gala and Fuji trees.

Plant each apple tree in a wide hole that is only as deep as the soil in the tree’s plant pot. Make sure that the knobby graft joint at the base of the tree is well above the soil line. Backfill the tree in the hole carefully with the native soil. Water the tree deeply to hydrate the roots and help the soil start to settle in place. The tree will grow best with irrigation for a few years until the roots become established.

Long-term apple storage

Braeburn apples are excellent “keeping apples” for long-term storage. Braeburns will store for 1 month in the crisper drawer of a refrigerator. They can be stored in a cold room or cellar for 2-4 months, and can be stored in commercial controlled-atmosphere storage for 8-10 months!

When choosing apples to store, look for apples without visible blemishes, bruises, or other damage. Whole, intact apples that are nearly ripe, but not overripe, will store best. Be sure to handle the apples carefully when placing them in storage so as not to damage or bruise them.

What to make with Braeburn apples

Wondering what to make with Braeburn apples? Fortunately, this specific variety is great for almost all culinary applications. Braeburn apples are great sliced on a charcuterie platter, blended into apple butter, or baked into a classic apple pie.

Braeburn apples are good in raw applications because they have a complex, balanced flavor that’s considered more interesting than many more-common varieties. They are juicy and crisp, sweet and tart. A fresh Braeburn eaten right off the tree is absolutely delicious!

Braeburn apples are excellent cooking apples because they tend to hold their shape and keep a relatively firm texture when heated. They don’t release their juice and tend to hold it in their flesh, making for a juicy dessert (rather than a wet dessert). While apples like McIntosh turn to mush in pies, Braeburn will hold its shape, juice, and texture in the oven.

Braeburn Apple Recipes

Here are some delicious Braeburn apple recipes to try:

• Classic Apple Pie
• Apple Crumb Cake
• Rustic French Apple Galette
• Easy Fall Apple & Cheese Board
• Baked Apples Stuffed with Oatmeal
• Autumn Roasted Vegetables with Apples & Pecans

Baking with Braeburn apples

Braeburn apples are one of the best varieties for baking. These apples are known for their ability to hold their shape well in the oven. The pieces hold in all the delicious juices rather than turning into a wet mess.

Because they keep their texture so well, Braeburn apples are frequently called for in recipes for pies, cakes, and tarts. This variety also has a natural cinnamon-spice flavor, making them an excellent choice for apple crumbles, crisps, and cobblers.

Substitute for Braeburn apples

There are several ideal substitutes for Braeburn Apples. Most notably, there are several varieties of apple that are directly descended from Braeburn, including Envy, Jazz, and Kanzi Apples. While these varieties are different than Braeburn, they are direct offsprings and therefore share many characteristics in terms of taste and texture.

Sometimes Braeburn Apples are specifically called for in recipes for baked goods like pies, tarts, and apple crumble. If Braeburn Apples aren’t available, try using Honeycrisp, Ambrosia, Pink Lady, Northern Spy, Spartan, or Cox’s Orange Pippin, as they will behave in a similar manner. Here is a big list of great apple varieties to use in apple pie filling.