The short version
Ludacrisp tastes like nothing else in the apple aisle, with a tropical, almost fruit-punch flavor. Honeycrisp is the benchmark for crunch and juice. Honeycrisp arrives in early September, and Ludacrisp follows in late October.
Close on sweetness, far apart on flavor
Ludacrisp sits at a 9 of 10 on our sweetness scale and Honeycrisp at an 8. Both are firm, crisp and juicy, so the real difference is flavor.
Honeycrisp tastes like a classic sweet apple turned all the way up. Ludacrisp leans tropical, citrusy and berry-like, which is why shoppers who want something noticeably different go looking for it.
Ludacrisp and Honeycrisp at a glance
| Attribute | Ludacrisp | Honeycrisp |
|---|---|---|
| Sweetness | 9 of 10 | 8 of 10 |
| Flavor | Sweet, tropical, fruity and aromatic | Sweet, explosively juicy |
| Texture | Firm, crisp and juicy | Soft skin with firm flesh |
| Appearance | Bright to deep red over yellow-green | Rich red over a yellow base |
| Harvest | Around October 25 | Around September 1 |
| Availability | Late October to May | Year round |
| Best for | Fresh eating, salads, cheese boards | Fresh eating |
How they taste
Ludacrisp is best known for a tropical, almost fruit-punch-like flavor that sets it apart from traditional varieties. It was developed through the Midwest Apple Improvement Association, the same grower-led breeding program that introduced EverCrisp. The result is a crisp, juicy apple with notes that lean tropical, citrusy and berry-like.
Honeycrisp is a Midwest original that thrives in the Great Lakes climate. It is explosively crisp and juicy thanks to a cell structure that holds more water than other varieties. Warm summer days and cool fall nights build the sugars that made it the most anticipated apple of the season.
Which one to buy
Both are made for eating fresh, so this comes down to what you are in the mood for.
Choose Ludacrisp for flavor you have not had before. It is the apple to hand someone who says all apples taste the same.
Choose Honeycrisp for the crunch. That burst of juice is the reason it turned people who never ate apples into fans.
When each one arrives
Honeycrisp harvests around September 1 and is available year round. Ludacrisp is a late-season apple, harvested around October 25 and available from late October into May.
That makes them good partners. Honeycrisp opens the fall, and Ludacrisp gives you something new to try when winter sets in.
Reach for Ludacrisp if
You want a sweet apple with tropical, fruit-punch flavor, you like trying new varieties, or you are shopping from late October on.
Reach for Honeycrisp if
You want the most explosive crunch in the aisle, you love a classic sweet apple, or you are shopping in early fall.
Meet the rest of the crisp family
Ludacrisp shares a breeding program with EverCrisp, another late-season apple built for crunch. See how that one stacks up in Honeycrisp vs EverCrisp.
Ludacrisp and Honeycrisp, answered
Which is sweeter, Ludacrisp or Honeycrisp?
Ludacrisp, narrowly. It sits at a 9 of 10 on our sweetness scale against Honeycrisp at an 8.
What does Ludacrisp taste like?
Sweet and tropical, with a fruit-punch-like flavor and notes that can lean citrusy and berry-like. It is firm, crisp and juicy.
Is Ludacrisp related to EverCrisp?
Not directly, but both were developed through the Midwest Apple Improvement Association, a grower-led breeding program focused on creating flavorful new apple varieties.
Why do Honeycrisp apples often cost more?
Honeycrisp is more expensive to grow. It is finicky in the orchard and on the packing line, and it takes patience, skill and gentle handling to get it to the shelf in good shape.
When is Ludacrisp in season?
Ludacrisp harvests around October 25 and is available from late October into May.
