Cosmic Crisp Apples
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
Description/Taste
Cosmic Crisp apples are a medium to large varietal, averaging 7 to 9 centimeters in diameter, and have a round to conical appearance with flattened shoulders and a narrowed base. The skin is semi-thick, glossy, smooth, chewy, and taut. The apple’s surface also showcases bright yellow-green hues and is covered in large patches of dark red blush. One of the signature characteristics of Cosmic Crisp apples is the prominent white lenticels scattered across the skin. Underneath the surface, the white flesh is slow to oxidize and is firm, aqueous, and crunchy with a crisp, snap-like consistency. The flesh also encases a small fibrous core filled with tiny black-brown seeds. Cosmic Crisp apples contain high sugar and acidity, creating a balanced sweet-tart flavor with tangy undertones.
Seasons/Availability
Cosmic Crisp apples are available in the winter through spring.
Current Facts
Cosmic Crisp apples, botanically classified as Malus domestica, are a modern American variety belonging to the Rosaceae family. The cultivar was released in 2019 by Washington State University and is a cross between Honeycrisp and Enterprise apples. It took over twenty years to develop Cosmic Crisp apples. The fruits are not genetically modified and were created from traditional breeding techniques. Cosmic Crisp apples earned their celestial moniker from the white lenticels dotted across the apple’s surface. Consumers often commented that the lenticels looked like a starry galaxy in evaluations of the new variety, establishing the variety’s name. Since their release, Cosmic Crisp apples are only grown in Washington State and are valued by farmers for their resistance to disease, transportability, extended storage capabilities, and uniform ripening. The variety also bears a dark red flush, similar to red delicious apples, and is starting to be planted in fields as a modern replacement. Among consumers, Cosmic Crisp apples are favored for their sweet, subtly tart flavor, firm flesh, deep coloring, and large size. The apples are traditionally consumed fresh but versatile in cooked preparations, incorporated into savory and sweet recipes.
Nutritional Value
Cosmic Crisp apples are a source of fiber to regulate the digestive tract, potassium to balance fluid levels within the body, and calcium to protect bones and teeth. The apples also provide vitamin C to strengthen the immune system and reduce inflammation, vitamin A to maintain healthy organ functioning, and other nutrients, including iron, vitamin E, magnesium, boron, zinc, copper, and vitamin K.
Applications
Cosmic Crisp apples have a sweet-tart flavor suited for fresh and cooked preparations. The apples are mostly consumed straight out of hand and are appreciated for their firm, snappy nature. Cosmic Crisp apples are slow to oxidize, making them ideal for fresh recipes. The apples can be tossed into salads, shredded into slaws, displayed on charcuterie plates with cheeses, or dipped in nut butter as a snack. Cosmic Crisp apples can also be layered in sandwiches, heated in paninis and grilled cheeses, or used as a crunchy element on burgers. In addition to fresh preparations, Cosmic Crisp apples can be cooked, developing a chewy, sweet, and crunchy consistency. The apples can be baked into pies, crumbles, crisps, bread, and cakes, stuffed into dumplings, chopped into cookies, or layered into parfaits and tarts. Cosmic Crisp apples can also be blended into smoothies or juiced for punches, spritzers, and cocktails. Cosmic Crisp apples pair well with fruits such as cherries, lemons, pears, apricots, and blackberries, cheeses including cheddar, ricotta, and feta, and herbs such as mint, basil, and parsley. Whole, unwashed Cosmic Crisp apples will keep for several weeks when stored in the refrigerator’s crisper drawer. The apples will also keep in professional cold storage for up to one year.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
The launch of Cosmic Crisp apples into consumer markets was one of the largest apple releases in history. Proprietary Variety Management, also known as PVM, spent over ten million dollars on marketing, including elements such as a website, social media, displays, and two taglines: “Imagine the Possibilities” and “The Apple of Big Dreams.” The firm also promoted the variety at space camps, wrote a children’s book, created in-store campaigns, and developed partnerships with celebrities and influencers for endorsements. PVM claims the justification for spending such a large sum was to introduce the variety quickly across the United States. Washington State apple growers hope that Cosmic Crisp will be a commercially successful variety that replaces red delicious while replicating the success that honeycrisp apples experienced several years ago. During its creation, over 400 Washington fruit growers invested approximately five hundred million dollars in developing the apples, and their contributions have allowed the variety to be exclusively grown in Washington until 2029.
Geography/History
Cosmic Crisp apples were bred in 1997 at the Washington State University Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center in Wenatchee, Washington. Bruce Barritt, horticulturist and breeder of Cosmic Crisp apples, began his quest to develop a new apple variety in 1985 when he joined the fruit and research center. Barritt began visiting apple orchards in Washington to study what made a quality apple and applied for a grant to start the breeding process. In 1994, a $60,000 grant was approved by the Washington Tree Fruit Commission, and by 1997, Barritt was cross-pollinating honeycrisp and enterprise apples. After many years of cultivation and natural selection processes, Barritt selected a mother tree for his new variety in 2007, naming it WA-38. In 2008, fruit breeder Kate Evans joined Barritt’s team and eventually took over the project when Barritt retired. WA-38 was trialed, tested, and cultivated for several years before being released to Washington growers in 2016. Cosmic Crisp apples were introduced to commercial markets in 2019, and over 15 million trees have been planted throughout Washington State. Washington growers have exclusive rights over the variety until 2029, and when in season, Cosmic Crisp apples are sold through retailers, grocers, and distributors across the United States. The apples are also sold locally through farmers markets in Washington.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Cosmic Crisp Apples. One
is easiest, three is harder.
