Fräulein Apples
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
Description/Taste
Fräulein apples are a medium to large varietal, averaging 7 to 7.5 centimeters in diameter, and have a round, conical, to slightly blocky appearance. The apple’s shoulders are broad and flat, tapering to a narrow base, and the stem is slender, dark brown, and woody. Fräulein apples have semi-thick skin that is smooth, taut, and waxy, with faint vertical ribbing. The surface showcases a golden yellow base almost entirely enveloped in a bright to dark red blush. The blush can be solid and saturated to striped and mottled, and pale yellow-green lenticels are scattered across the skin. Underneath the surface, the white flesh is crisp, aqueous, fine-grained, and crunchy with a firm, dense consistency. The flesh is slow to brown and encases a central fibrous core filled with tiny black-brown seeds. Fräulein apples emit a faintly sweet aroma and are initially sweet, followed by a tangy, sour aftertaste. The variety is known for its balanced, sweet, and tart flavor and is sprightly with even amounts of sugar and acid.
Seasons/Availability
Fräulein apples are harvested in the late fall and are professionally stored and sold through the early summer.
Current Facts
Fräulein apples, botanically classified as Malus domestica, are a German variety belonging to the Rosaceae family. The bi-colored apples were discovered growing as a chance seedling in an orchard in Northwest Germany in the early 21st century and were released as a commercial cultivar for their sweet and sour flavor, crisp texture, and large size. Fräulein apples are unique from other apple varieties as they were discovered, marketed, and sold solely in Germany. The variety is positioned as a German apple and is cultivated across the country, ensuring that the apples are locally produced and sold in nearby regions. Each Fräulein apple must meet strict aesthetics and weight criteria to be sold under the brand name. Apples not meeting these standards are sold under other names or processed into juices and purees. They are also offered loose or in sustainable packaging for a positive brand image. Since their release, Fräulein apples have increased in demand as more consumers become aware of the new commercial variety. The apples are sold fresh in markets for an extended season and are used by consumers for fresh and cooked culinary preparations.
Nutritional Value
Fräulein apples have not been extensively studied for their nutritional properties. Apples, in general, are a source of fiber to stimulate and regulate the digestive tract, and vitamins C and E to strengthen the immune system and guard the cells against the damage caused by free radicals. Apples also provide potassium to balance fluid levels within the body, magnesium to control nerve functions, and calcium to support bones and teeth. Other minerals in the fruits include iron, copper, manganese, and zinc. Iron helps the body develop the protein hemoglobin for oxygen transport through the bloodstream, copper to protect against viruses, manganese to aid bone formation, and zinc to help reduce inflammation. The apple's pigmented skin contains anthocyanins, natural compounds with antioxidant-like properties to maintain the body’s overall health.
Applications
Fräulein apples have a balanced, sweet, and sour flavor suited for fresh and cooked preparations. The variety is marketed as a versatile German apple and is primarily enjoyed out of hand. Fräulein apples can be sliced and served as an accompaniment on cheese boards, chopped into salads, or roughly cut and used as a garnish with herbs. Try consuming Fräulein apples with nut butter and other creamy dips or layering slices into sandwiches. The variety is also blended into juices, smoothies, or pureed into sauces. In addition to fresh preparations, Fräulein apples are popularly incorporated into baked goods and sweet desserts throughout Germany. The apples are baked into bread, muffins, tarts, and crumbles or added to cakes, strudels, and pies. Fräulein apples are also sliced into thin rings and fried into fritters or stuffed and baked as a savory-sweet dessert. Beyond sweet dishes, the variety is sometimes roasted with other root vegetables, simmered into purees, or roasted with meat. Fräulein apples pair well with fruit such as blueberries, peaches, apricots, and oranges, herbs including mint, parsley, and cilantro, nuts such as almonds, walnuts, and pecans, and spices including cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger. Whole, unwashed Fräulein apples will keep for several months when stored in a cool, dry, and dark location, mainly, the refrigerator’s crisper drawer.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Fräulein apples were named by the German Fruit Variety Konsortium GmbH. Historically, Fräulein is a German word used as a title for an unmarried young woman. In the present day, the name was chosen for the apple variety to modernize the word and highlight the apple’s German origins. Several articles about the apple variety have alluded that the name Fräulein now embodies the idea of a “new generation of young women who assert themselves in life.” It is hoped the name connects the apple variety to its history and tradition of being discovered in Germany with its newfound qualities ideal for modern markets.
Geography/History
Fräulein apples are native to Germany and were developed in the orchards of Gerd Sundermeyer in the Hildesheim region of Lower Saxony. Mr. Sundermeyer allowed bees to naturally pollinate some of his apple trees and examined over five hundred new apples before he encountered a red apple that would later become Fräulein. It is said that the apple fell at Gerd Sundermeyer’s feet as he walked through his orchard, and when he bit into the fruit, he was shocked by its juiciness and flavor. The apple’s parent varieties are unknown, but it is hypothesized that they may be a cross between a Honeycrisp and a Braeburn. Mr. Sundermeyer initially called the fruits GS 66 in 2008 and later began selling the apples directly to consumers under the alleged name Route 66. Several years after their discovery, Mr. Sundermeyer sent the variety to the German Fruit Variety Konsortium GmbH, also known as DOSK. The organization appreciated the new fruit and began marketing and promoting the variety. In 2017, the German Fruit Variety Konsortium GmbH secured the rights to the variety and commercially released the apples in 2019 under the brand name Fräulein. Today, Fräulein apples are exclusively grown in five regions of Germany, including Alters Land, Saxony, Rhineland, Baden, and Lake Constance. Each region has varying cultivation conditions and climate, and the apples mature at different periods throughout the season. Apples that do not meet quality standards are sold in markets under the name Grisp. Fräulein apples are seasonally found throughout markets in Germany and are a local apple favored for their flavor and texture. The Fräulein apples featured in the photograph above were sourced from vendors at Fruit Logistica 2025 in Berlin, Germany.
