Washed-out off-season Honeycrisp

Though not a member of the Legion of Honeycrisp Fans, I understand (and respect) the appeal: an explosively crisp fruit with candy-like sweetness.

That's why I do not understand the draw of out-of-season Honeycrisp, which continues to dominate supermarket produce aisles at premium prices.

I made a point to sample one of these this week, and both the sugar and the crunch were mere shadows of their autumn selves, weak, attenuated, and tired.

It was an OK snack, but lacking in character.

Many apples lose their finer qualities in the winter and spring—it's normal!—so this is not a slam on the big crunchy guy.

But if you want a merely adequate apple this time of year, Cortland and McIntosh (both also faded), as well as Empire and Gala, are going for half to one third of Honeycrisp's price.

Consider alternatives

Other winter supermarket varieties are downright tasty. See for instance my suggestions for off-season apples.

These and those of the rest of the series are somewhat dated but still good picks.

My 2011 suggestions of Honeycrisp alternatives are still worth considering, but there are now a newer batch of Honeycrisp contenders (with more, it seems, every year). 

Many of these beat the original, at least this time of year.

Dear sugarball fanatics: You like what you like, and it's not my business to tell you otherwise.

But apples are seasonal, and Honeycrisp is simply no winter apple. You'd be doing yourself a favor if you branched out in the off season.

Your favorite apple won't hold it against you if you do! and will be waiting for you in the early fall.

Linkages

• All my Honeycrisp posts
• Honeycrisp alternatives and pretenders to the throne
• Seasonal reports and recommendations