What Are Rave Apples?

If you’ve ever walked into the grocery store in August and thought, “Wait, apple season
already?”, there’s a good chance you were looking at Rave apples. These bright
red, super-juicy apples show up when most of us are still thinking about ice cream, not
apple pie – and that’s exactly the point.

Rave is an early-season, modern apple that mixes Honeycrisp-level juiciness with a bold,
tangy kick. It was bred to ripen weeks before most varieties and to wake up your taste
buds with a crunchy, refreshing bite. But what exactly are Rave apples, how do they
taste, and what should you actually do with them (besides eat them straight out of the
bag in your car)? Let’s dig in.

Meet the Rave Apple: A New Kid on the Orchard Block

Rave, MN55, and First Kiss – Same Apple, Different Names

Technically speaking, Rave is the brand name for the apple cultivar
MN55. The variety was developed by the apple-breeding program at the
University of Minnesota, the same team behind fan favorites like Honeycrisp and
SweeTango. In Minnesota, the same fruit is sold under the name
First Kiss. Outside the state, it’s marketed as Rave, often grown and
distributed by large orchard partners in Washington and other apple-growing regions of
the United States.

So if you ever see “First Kiss” in a Minnesota orchard shop and “Rave apples” at a
national grocery chain, you’re essentially looking at siblings with different stage
names.

How Rave Apples Were Created

Rave apples are the result of a natural cross between two varieties:
Honeycrisp and MonArk. Honeycrisp contributes the
intense juiciness and satisfying crunch, while MonArk – an older variety from Arkansas
– adds early ripening, rich color, and an ability to handle summer heat.

Breeders made the cross back in the late 1990s and then spent nearly two decades testing
and refining the apple before it was released commercially. This wasn’t a quick
overnight project; it was classic, non-GMO, old-school plant breeding with thousands of
seedlings evaluated before MN55 made the cut.

What Do Rave Apples Look and Taste Like?

Appearance

Rave apples have a bold, scarlet-red skin, often with lighter yellow
or green patches peeking through. They’re usually medium in size with a round to
slightly conical shape. Displayed in a bin, they look like the glossy, camera-ready
version of “an apple” you’d draw as a kid.

Flavor and Texture

One bite and you’ll understand why growers lean into the “juicy with a snappy zing”
messaging. Rave apples:

• Lean sweet, like Honeycrisp, but with a noticeable tart finish.
• Have very high juice content – they practically drip when you bite
  into them.
• Offer a crisp, crunchy texture that’s best when the apple is well
  chilled.
• Have a thin, mild skin, so you don’t need to peel them for most
  uses.

Think of the flavor as Honeycrisp that had an extra shot of brightness. If you like
apples that wake you up and make a little “crunch” echo in your head, Rave belongs in
your snack rotation.

When Are Rave Apples in Season?

One of the biggest selling points of Rave apples is their timing. Thanks to their
MonArk heritage, they ripen very early – typically in
late July through August in major growing regions like Washington
State and the Upper Midwest.

That means:

• They often appear in stores two to three weeks before Honeycrisp
  and many other fall apples.
• They’re a classic “back-to-school” apple, showing up just as lunch
  boxes and snack bags start to reappear.
• Their prime window is relatively short – usually through early fall – so they’re
  a seasonal treat, not a year-round staple.

If you see Rave apples in August, the correct response is: grab them now and thank
yourself later.

How to Use Rave Apples

Best Uses: Fresh, Cold, and Crunchy

Rave apples are built for fresh eating. Because the flesh is so juicy
and relatively delicate, they tend to break down in the oven or slow cooker. If you’re
dreaming of a perfectly structured apple pie, this is not your baking workhorse.

Where they shine:

• Snacking straight from the fridge – their flavor really pops when
  served cold.
• Cheese and charcuterie boards – their sweet-tart balance pairs
  beautifully with brie, sharp cheddar, blue cheese, and cured meats.
• Salads – sliced Rave apples bring crunch and brightness to grain
  salads, green salads, and slaws.
• Fruit salsas – dice them with jalapeño, lime, and cilantro for a
  refreshing topping for grilled chicken or fish.
• Smoothies and fresh juices – that intense juiciness isn’t going to
  waste.

Can You Cook or Bake with Rave Apples?

You can cook with them, but you need to know what you’re getting. Under heat,
Rave apples soften quickly and can almost dissolve, which is great for:

• Applesauce or apple butter that cooks down fast.
• Jelly or cider, where you want juice and aroma more than structure.

For pies, crisps, or anything that needs tidy slices after baking, you’re better off
mixing them with firmer apples like Granny Smith, Pink Lady, or Fuji. Let Rave handle
the juicy sweetness while the firmer apples handle the engineering.

Nutrition and Health Benefits

Like most apples, Rave apples deliver solid everyday nutrition with very few calories.
A medium apple (about 180 grams) typically has:

• ~95 calories
• 0 grams of fat
• About 25 grams of carbohydrates, including natural fruit sugars
• 4 grams of fiber, much of it in the skin
• Small amounts of vitamin C and other antioxidants

That combination makes Rave apples a smart snack for:

• Sustained energy from natural sugars plus fiber.
• Digestive health thanks to the fiber in the skin and flesh.
• Heart-friendly eating patterns when used in place of heavily
  processed snacks.

If you’re pairing them with cheese or nut butter, you get a more filling snack with
protein and healthy fats, while the apple contributes volume, crunch, and that sweet
edge.

How to Buy and Store Rave Apples

Choosing Good Rave Apples

When shopping, look for:

• Firm fruit with no soft spots or bruises.
• Bright red skin with only minor blemishes or scuffing.
• A heavy feel for its size – that usually signals plenty of juice.

Because Rave apples are an early-season variety, they’re usually harvested and shipped
quickly. Still, avoid any apples that feel spongy; that texture means the fruit is
past its prime and has lost its characteristic crunch.

Storage Tips

Treat Rave apples like any high-quality eating apple:

• Store them in the refrigerator, ideally in the crisper drawer.
• Keep them in a perforated or loosely open plastic bag so they stay
  humid but can still breathe.
• Don’t wash them until just before you eat them; excess moisture during storage can
  speed breakdown.

At home, expect them to stay crisp for several weeks in the fridge. In professional
cold storage, they can last longer, but for peak flavor and texture, they’re best
enjoyed relatively soon after harvest.

Want to prep ahead? You can slice Rave apples, toss them with a bit of lemon juice, and
refrigerate them for a day or two. For longer term use in smoothies or sauces, sliced
apples can be bagged and frozen.

How Do Rave Apples Compare to Other Apples?

Rave vs. Honeycrisp

• Relation: Honeycrisp is one of Rave’s parents.
• Timing: Rave shows up earlier in the season; Honeycrisp is more of
  a classic early-fall apple.
• Flavor: Both are sweet and very juicy, but Rave often tastes a bit
  brighter and more tart at the finish.
• Texture: Honeycrisp tends to hold its structure slightly better in
  cooking; Rave is more fragile and best fresh.

Rave vs. Granny Smith

• Flavor: Granny Smith is sharply tart; Rave is sweet-tart with more
  juiciness and less acidity.
• Use: Granny Smith is a baking classic; Rave is a snacking star.
• Color: Granny Smith is bright green, while Rave is deep red.

Rave vs. Other Early-Season Apples

Many early apples tend to be softer and mild in flavor. Rave stands out because it
combines early harvest with modern texture and intensity.
It gives apple lovers something exciting to look forward to at the very start of the
season, instead of waiting for late-September favorites.

Where Can You Find Rave Apples?

Rave apples are a “club” variety, which means they’re grown and marketed under
controlled licenses rather than planted everywhere by anyone. In practice, that means:

• You’ll often find them in large grocery chains in the U.S. during
  August and September.
• They may show up at regional orchards and farm markets, especially
  in states that work with the University of Minnesota’s MN55 program.
• Availability can vary by year and region – they’re popular, and the season is
  short, so they can sell out quickly.

If you’re an apple fan, it’s worth asking your local store’s produce manager when they
expect Rave apples to arrive so you can plan your snack schedule accordingly.

Why Rave Apples Are Worth Seeking Out

Rave apples aren’t trying to be all things to all people. They’re not the best for
baking, and you won’t see them in the store year-round. Instead, they do a few things
extremely well:

• Kick off apple season earlier than almost any other variety.
• Deliver huge juiciness, crisp texture, and a lively sweet-tart flavor.
• Shine in simple, fresh uses – snacking, salads, cheese boards, and quick desserts.

If you love the idea of a limited-time fruit that feels like a seasonal event, Rave
apples are your kind of apple. Think of them as the “soft launch” of fall: one crunchy,
cold bite and suddenly you’re ready for sweaters, soups, and everything cozy… even if
the calendar still says August.

Real-Life Experiences with Rave Apples (Extra Tips & Ideas)

Part of the fun of Rave apples is how people actually use them in real life. Once you
get past the basic “wow, that’s juicy,” you start to notice patterns in how home cooks,
parents, and snack-obsessed foodies weave them into their routines. Here are some
practical, experience-based ways to make the most of Rave season.

Back-to-School Snack Hero

Because Rave apples hit the shelves right as school starts up, many families treat them
like a seasonal lunch box upgrade. Parents often slice one apple, toss the pieces with
a tiny squeeze of lemon juice, and pack it with a handful of cheddar cubes or a small
container of peanut butter. Kids get sweetness, crunch, and color, and parents get the
satisfaction of sending something fresh that doesn’t feel boring.

If you’re worried about browning, a quick dip in lightly salted water or lemon water
keeps slices looking good for several hours. Store the slices in a small reusable
container rather than a large bag so they don’t get knocked around.

Happy-Hour Pairing at Home

Rave apples also work surprisingly well in grown-up snack setups. A lot of people use
them as the “fresh and crisp” anchor on a casual cheese board. Their bright flavor
stands up to salty, rich cheeses, cured meats, and even spicy nuts.

Try this simple combo for a low-effort happy hour at home:

• Thinly sliced chilled Rave apples
• Sharp white cheddar or manchego
• A handful of roasted almonds or walnuts
• A drizzle of honey or a small dish of whole-grain mustard

It’s the kind of snack board that feels fancy but takes less time to assemble than
scrolling through streaming options.

Salad Upgrade Without Extra Effort

One very real-world use for Rave apples: rescuing a sad salad. If you’ve got a box of
mixed greens, a random half-used cucumber, and some leftover grilled chicken, a chopped
Rave apple can instantly pull everything together. The apple adds sweetness, crunch,
and acidity in one move.

Toss chopped Rave apples into:

• Grain bowls with farro, quinoa, or brown rice.
• Chopped kale salads with parmesan and a lemony dressing.
• Autumn-style salads with toasted pecans and dried cranberries,
  even if it’s still 90°F outside.

Because the apples are so juicy, you can even reduce your dressing slightly; the fruit
helps keep every bite moist and flavorful.

Quick “No-Recipe” Dessert

Rave apples aren’t ideal for long bakes, but they’re excellent for simple, fresh
desserts that come together in minutes. Think of them as the shortcut to something that
feels homemade without turning on the oven.

A few ideas:

• Layer sliced Rave apples with vanilla yogurt and granola for an instant apple
  parfait.
• Fan thin slices over a scoop of ice cream, then drizzle with caramel sauce.
• Toss diced apples with cinnamon and a spoonful of maple syrup, then serve over warm
  oatmeal.

None of these require measuring cups or complicated instructions, which is exactly
what you want on a weeknight when “dessert” is just a code word for “something sweet
before bed.”

Freezer Prep for Smoothies and Sauces

Because Rave apples are so seasonal, some people like to stretch the experience. One
easy habit is to freeze a batch when the fruit is at its peak:

1. Wash and dry the apples.
2. Core and slice them (peeling is optional).
3. Toss the slices with a bit of lemon juice to reduce browning.
4. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze.
5. Transfer the frozen slices to a freezer bag or container.

Those frozen apples are perfect for fall smoothies, quick sauces, or warming
stovetop “apple compote” to spoon over pancakes or waffles. The texture will be softer
after freezing, but the flavor stays bright.

Learning the Limits (and Loving Them)

One of the most useful real-world lessons with Rave apples is simply recognizing what
they’re not: they’re not your all-purpose baking apple, and they’re not meant to be
stored for months in a basement fridge like some heirloom varieties. They’re more like
the seasonal stone fruit of the apple world – an early-season burst of excitement that
you enjoy intensely while it’s here.

Once you accept that, it’s easier to appreciate Rave apples for what they offer:
instant crunch, huge juiciness, and a flavor that makes even a basic afternoon snack
feel intentional. When you see them, buy them; when they’re gone, you’ve got something
to look forward to next year.