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Braeburn apples are a small to medium-sized varietal, averaging 6 to 7 centimeters in diameter, and have a round to conical appearance with flat shoulders, a broad middle, and a slightly tapered base. Some apples showcase slanted shoulders and ribbing, and the fruits have semi-thick, fibrous, light-brown stems. The apple's skin is thin but tough, able to resist most bruising, and the surface is relatively matte with a yellow-green base hue covered in large patches of red-pink blush and striping. The saturation of the blush will vary depending on the region and environment in which the apples are grown. Some parts of the blush and striping will be more translucent, allowing the yellow base color to shine through the red, creating an orange hue. Underneath the skin, the ivory to cream-colored flesh is firm, coarse-grained, and aqueous with a crisp and crunchy consistency, snapping clean with each bite. The flesh also encases a large central core filled with tiny dark brown seeds. Braeburn apples are aromatic, and the complex flavoring rushes over the senses when consumed. The variety has balanced sugar and acidity levels, creating a refreshing, sweet, and sharp taste without feeling sugary or overly tart. Braeburn apples also have a rich, cider-like undertone with cinnamon, nutmeg, pears, and citrus notes.
Seasons/Availability
Braeburn apples are grown in the southern and northern hemispheres, providing year-round availability in some markets. The variety is harvested in the late fall through spring and can be kept in professional cold storage for up to eight months.
Current Facts
Braeburn apples, botanically classified as Malus domestica, are a New Zealand variety belonging to the Rosaceae family. The cultivar was discovered growing as a chance seedling in the mid-20th century and was selected for commercial production for its complex and rich flavor. Braeburn apples were one of the first bi-colored apples to become popular in modern commercial markets. During the time of their release, most apples were either solid red or green, and Braeburn's bi-colored nature marked a new era within the apple industry. Growers favor Braeburn apples for their high yields, self-fertile nature, ease of cultivation, extended storage traits, and ability to be shipped without damage. The variety is not genetically modified and was developed through natural mutations. In the late 20th century, Braeburn apples were one of the top commercially produced apple varieties, favored for their rich, balanced flavor reminiscent of heirloom varieties that had disappeared from markets. Despite their global popularity, Braeburn apples were eventually overshadowed by newer, improved cultivars that were less susceptible to disease. The variety also struggled with too much flavor variation as it was being mass-produced worldwide without regulations to control sugar and acidity levels. In modern-day markets, Braeburn apples are still commercially produced on a smaller scale and are sold as an all-purpose cultivar, able to be utilized in fresh or cooked preparations.
Nutritional Value
Braeburn apples are a source of fiber to regulate the digestive tract, potassium to balance fluid levels within the body, and calcium to build strong bones and teeth. The apples also provide vitamin C to strengthen the immune system, vitamin A to maintain healthy organ functioning, vitamin E to reduce inflammation, and other nutrients, including copper, zinc, magnesium, manganese, and phosphorus. The apple's red blush is a sign of anthocyanins, natural pigments within the skin with antioxidant-like properties to protect the cells against free radical damage and oxidative stress.
Applications
Braeburn apples have a balanced, sweet-tart flavor suited for fresh and cooked preparations. Many consumers choose to showcase this flavor by consuming the apples straight out of hand. Braeburn apples can also be served slightly chilled, just below room temperature, to enhance their flavoring. Try chopping Braeburn apples for green salads, shredding them into slaws, or serving sliced on appetizer platters with soft and creamy cheeses such as brie, white cheddar, or camembert. Braeburn apples can also be used as a fresh topping over breakfast dishes, served in parfaits as a snack, or layered into sandwiches for added crunch. In addition to fresh preparations, Braeburn apples hold their shape when cooked, lending themselves to baked goods like tarts, muffins, crumbles, and scones. The variety can also be simmered into purees, sauces, jams, and jellies, roasted alongside root vegetables, cooked and served over meat main dishes, or sauteed in brown butter or sugar as a caramelized topping over ice cream. Beyond culinary preparations, Braeburn apples can be pressed into juice and mixed into cider blends, cocktails, and sparkling beverages. Braeburn apples pair well with spices such as nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and cinnamon, vanilla, salted caramel, maple syrup, meats such as pork, turkey, and poultry, and fruits including blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, citrus, and peaches. Whole, unwashed Braeburn apples will keep up to one month when stored in the refrigerator's crisper drawer. In cold cellars, the variety will keep for 2 to 4 months, and in professional storage, they can be stored for up to 8 months. Braeburn apples can also be dried or frozen for extended use.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
In Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, larger-than-life apples were featured in a collaborative art exhibition known as The Big Apple Project in 2022. The inaugural event was created by the Hastings District Council in partnership with Arts Inc, Heretaunga, to support the local apple industry and Hawkes Bay artists. The Big Apple Project consisted of 20 local artists painting designs on fiberglass apples, which were later displayed for three months in public spaces throughout Hastings. The artists were encouraged to paint whatever inspired them, and the apples ranged in colorful paintings of nature, culture, and abstract designs, while others were covered in metallic copper finishes or raised wood pieces. Two artists focused on painting apple varieties onto their apple canvas, including Braeburn apples, showcasing the most popular cultivars grown in Hawke's Bay. Over 40 varieties of apples are produced in Hawke's Bay, and the region is New Zealand's most prominent commercial apple area, accounting for approximately 64% of national production. After the apple artworks were displayed in public places for several months, they were eventually sold at a charity auction, raising over $200,000 for art programs and the Hawke's Bay community.
Geography/History
Braeburn apples are native to New Zealand and were discovered growing as a chance seedling in Upper Moutere, a locality in the Tasman District near Nelson on the South Island. Grower O. Moran found the apples on the side of the road in 1952. Moran stopped to examine the tree, and the fruits were distinct from any of the varieties he was familiar with. Moran picked some of the apples and brought them to Williams Brothers Nursery. The nursery determined it was a new variety and began grafting it onto rootstock for commercial production at Braeburn Orchards. The variety's parentage is unknown, but for many years pomologists thought it might have been created from Lady Hamilton and Granny Smith apples. In 2020, a study conducted on genetic distance assessed that Sturmer's Pippin and Delicious apples were the variety's parents, with Lady Hamilton being a sibling variety. Braeburn apples were selected for commercial production for their rich flavor and cultivation characteristics. Since its release as a commercial cultivar, Braeburn apples have also contributed to modern apple breeding, being a parent variety to well-known apples such as Jazz, Kanzi, Envy, and Sweetie. Several of these varieties have replaced Braeburn apples in some consumer markets as they carry improved disease resistance. Today Braeburn apples are still a commercially produced variety, growing in warm to temperate regions worldwide, especially in New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Chile, Canada, and the United States, mainly in Washington State. When in season, Braeburn apples are offered through grocers, farmer's markets, and distributors. They are also sold through nurseries for home garden planting.
Supermarket "SMall"
Алматы микрорайон Казахфильм 13, Алматы 050057
Braeburn apples of Kazakhstan. Braeburn apples are known for their thin but tough skin that resists bruising and showcases a yellow-green base with red-pink blush and striping. The blush can vary, appearing translucent in some regions, blending yellow and red into an orange hue. Their firm, coarse-grained flesh snaps cleanly with each bite and delivers a balanced sweet and sharp taste paired with rich cider-like undertones, including cinnamon, nutmeg, pears, and citrus.
Supermarket Magnum
ул. Радостовца 292, Алматы 050060, Казахстан
Braeburn apples of Kazakhstan. Braeburn apples hold their shape well when cooked, making them ideal for baked goods like tarts, muffins, crumbles, and scones. They can be simmered into sauces, jams, or jellies or roasted with root vegetables and meats. These apples pair beautifully with spices like nutmeg, ginger, and cinnamon, as well as fruits like berries and peaches. When stored properly in cold cellars, Braeburn apples can last up to 4 months and up to 8 months in professional storage.
Union Square Greenmarket
(212) 788-7900
Braeburn apples: These apples were one of the first bi-colored varieties to gain popularity in commercial markets, marking a shift from solid red or green varieties. Discovered as a chance seedling in New Zealand, they became widely grown for their rich flavor and reliable cultivation traits. Although overshadowed by newer varieties, Braeburn apples remain popular for their versatility in fresh eating and cooking, as well as their nutrient-rich properties, including fiber, potassium, and vitamin C.
Whole Foods Market
63-97 Kensington High St, London W8 5SE, United Kingdom
Braeburn apples were discovered in New Zealand in 1952 as a chance seedling by grower O. Moran in Upper Moutere. Initially unknown, their distinct traits were recognized, leading to commercial production at Braeburn Orchards. Genetic studies have identified Sturmer's Pippin and Delicious apples as its parents. Over time, Braeburn apples have served as a parent variety to newer apples like Jazz, Kanzi, Envy, and Sweetie.
Ted's Veg Borough Market
Borough Market, London SE1 9AL, United Kingdom
The Big Apple Project in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, featured 20 fiberglass apples painted by local artists, celebrating the region's apple industry. Each artist brought unique inspirations to life, from cultural themes to Braeburn apple varieties. The artworks were displayed publicly for three months before being auctioned for charity, raising over $200,000 to support arts and the local community. Hawke's Bay produces over 40 apple varieties, contributing 64% to New Zealand's apple production.
Supermarket SMall
Kazakhfilm microdistrict, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Braeburn apples of Poland. Braeburn apples are known for their balanced sugar and acidity, delivering a refreshing taste that's sweet yet sharp. Their firm, coarse-grained flesh has a crisp, crunchy texture, snapping clean with each bite. The apples feature a thin yet tough skin, resistant to bruising. They also boast aromatic qualities, with flavors enriched by notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, citrus, and pear, offering a unique complexity in every bite.
Specialty Produce
1929 Hancock St Suite 150 San Diego CA 92110
View on Instagram
(619) 295-3172 [email protected]
Braeburn Apples from See Canyon Orchards. Braeburn Apples: Braeburn apples are known for their balanced sweet-tart flavor, which can be enjoyed fresh or in cooked recipes. They pair excellently with soft cheeses, spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and fruits like peaches and berries. These apples hold their shape during cooking, making them ideal for baked goods like tarts and crumbles. Stored in a refrigerator, they can remain fresh for up to a month or longer in colder conditions.
Santa Monica Farmer's Market
155-199 Arizona Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Braeburn apples are a natural, non-GMO variety from New Zealand discovered as a chance seedling in the mid-20th century. Their balanced flavor, reminiscent of heirloom apples, made them a favorite in the late 20th century. Known for their bi-colored skin, they marked a shift in apple diversity in markets once dominated by solid red or green apples. While their popularity has declined, they remain valued for their versatility, high yields, and ease of cultivation.
Braeburn apples are here in Central Market Austin Texas. Braeburn apples were discovered in New Zealand as a chance seedling in 1952 by grower O. Moran near Nelson. After Moran brought them to Williams Brothers Nursery, they were identified as a new variety and began commercial production at Braeburn Orchards. Though initially believed to descend from Lady Hamilton and Granny Smith apples, the parentage was later determined to be Sturmer's Pippin and Delicious apples.
ESENTAI GOURMET
проспект Aль-Фараби 77/8, Алматы 050060, Казахстан
Braeburn apples were showcased in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, as part of The Big Apple Project in 2022, a unique art exhibition featuring local artists who painted fiberglass apples with a variety of creative designs. Hawke's Bay is New Zealand's leading apple-growing region, producing over 40 varieties and accounting for 64% of the country's apple production. The project raised over $200,000 through a charity auction for community art programs. Breaburn apples from
Peru
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