Braeburn

Braeburn is a firm, spicy-sweet apple with an autumn-toned stripey blush. Discovered by chance in 1950s New Zealand, it hit U.S. shelves in the 1980s and remains a reliable baking, slicing, and processing variety that stores beautifully.
Riveridge Braeburn

Sweetness Meter

How sweet is it?

Flavor Meter
4
TartBalancedSweet

Best Uses

How to enjoy it

Baking
Sauce
Slices

The Story

What makes it special

Braeburn is a chance variety discovered in a New Zealand orchard in the 1950s. It quickly caught on after reaching grocery store shelves in the 1980s, offering something different from the standard Delicious varieties and Granny Smith. With its stripey red blush over a greenish background, it stood out instantly.

Crisp and firm, Braeburn delivers a rich, spicy-sweet flavor. As a later-harvest apple, it’s an excellent long keeper and holds up beautifully in storage.

It’s a favorite for baking pies and crisps, and sliced it’s great in salads or packed in lunches. Thanks to its sturdy skin and resilient texture, Braeburn is a reliable, hardworking staple in the produce department.

Key Facts

Specs at a glance

TasteTangy with a bit of sweet and a hint of spice
TextureFirm, creamy flesh
AppearanceRed/orange over a yellow/green base gives an autumn look
PeakOct 16

Available in pack sizes

PLU Code#4103 (large) / #4101 (small)
GPC Code
Peak HarvestOct 16
Window±1 week
Storage Temp34-36° F
AvailabilityOctober to December

Pack Sizes & UPC Codes

Pack Apple Size Grade UPC
3lb 2 1/2" US Extra Fancy 0 33383 08737 5
5lb 2 1/2" US Extra Fancy 0 33383 08739 9

Download Spec SheetView packaging options →

Frequently Asked

Good to know

I'm having trouble finding Braeburn. Why is that?

You're not imagining it. Over time, so many new apple varieties have entered the market that retailers have limited shelf space to work with. As newer options take priority, some classics show up less often.

In recent years, Braeburn has increasingly shifted toward processing, meaning growers are more likely to send it for slicing or sauce rather than for retail.

So the next time you grab a pack of sliced apples or an applesauce cup, you might be enjoying Braeburn, just in a different form.

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