The Sweetest Types of Apples You Can Buy at the Grocery Store
Most apples carry some natural sweetness, but only a few really taste sweet on their own. The best ones for eating fresh have firm, juicy flesh and very little tartness. They also score high on the Brix scale, which measures sugar content. You’ll find many of these varieties year-round at grocery stores, though a few show up only in season.
Fuji
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Fuji apples punch above their weight in sweetness and come straight from Japan’s 1940s breeding programs. They deliver a dense, juicy crunch that’s hard to beat, thanks to sugar levels often higher than those of orange juice.
Kiku
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Kiku apples, sweeter than Fuji apples, were discovered in a Japanese orchard and now rank among the sweetest apples commercially sold. They’re not as widespread, but they do appear more often at premium grocery chains. Expect a syrupy bite with minimal tartness.
Gala
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Gala apples have a mild, pleasant sweetness that makes them an easy favorite for everyday eating. They’re crisp enough to stay fresh in a lunchbox but soft enough for kids to bite into without effort. The light floral flavor adds a little depth, and while they’re not the flashiest apple on the shelf, their reliability keeps them among the best sellers nationwide.
Honeycrisp
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It’s not just the sugar but the structure that creates hype around these apples. Honeycrisps fracture cleanly when bitten, which amplifies their juiciness and brightens their flavor. They strike a rare balance between sweet and refreshing without leaning too tart.
Ambrosia
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What Ambrosia lacks in tartness, it makes up for with smooth, mellow sweetness. Its low-acid profile means there’s no tang to compete with the sugar. They also resist browning longer than most, which makes them ideal for pre-sliced snacks or kids’ lunches that need to stay appealing till noon.
Envy
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This variety often draws comparisons to pears for its deep sweetness. Envy apples are crisp and dense, characterized by high sugar content and low acidity. They keep their texture well after cutting and hold up in salads or fruit trays without going soft.
Golden Delicious
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Golden Delicious apples offer a gentle sweetness with a touch of honey flavor that fits just as well with cheese as it does with cinnamon. The skin is thin, so they bruise more easily than firmer varieties, but their flavor stays balanced and dependable.
Red Delicious
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This apple tends to split opinion, but it still has its place, especially if you’re avoiding tartness altogether. Red Delicious is not suitable for baking, but great for people who prefer softer raw food. It is low in acid and has a subtle sweetness level rather than a sharp one.
Cosmic Crisp
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Here’s one that was literally designed to store well and taste great. A cross between Honeycrisp and Enterprise, Cosmic Crisp holds its crunch and doesn’t brown quickly. It starts a little tart, but the sweetness builds as you chew.
Opal
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Opal apples are distinct with their yellow skin and are naturally resistant to browning. Their sweetness is immediate and clean, and the texture remains firm over time. They’re also particularly popular in pre-cut fruit packs and lunch preps.
Smitten
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Smitten apples start off crisp and retain their texture long after harvest. They’re more sugar-forward than fruity, with a finish that lingers slightly longer than most. Still a newer face in grocery stores, but worth grabbing when they show up.
EverCrisp
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EverCrisp apples combine Fuji’s sweetness with Honeycrisp’s snap. This combination gives them both flavor and bite. They hold their texture for weeks, stay juicy even after long storage, and don’t lose their shine in the fridge.
Jazz
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Not the loudest on the shelf in appearance, but Jazz apples offer a punchy, candy-like sweetness. They travel well, don’t bruise easily, and have just enough acidity to stay lively without overpowering the sugar.
Autumn Glory
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If there’s an apple that hints at cinnamon and caramel without any added flavoring, that’s Autumn Glory. These apples have unique flavor compounds that add a deeper sweetness reminiscent of fall desserts. They appear mostly in late fall and early winter, so pairing one with aged cheese or nuts can make for a simple yet satisfying treat.
Lady Alice
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Unlike most apples, this one actually improves post-harvest. Lady Alice apples get sweeter and less acidic over time if stored properly. It’s not always front and center at the store, but it’s a strong pick when you’re looking for a full-flavored, late-season apple.