Meet pink apples: their flesh ranges from deep crimson to vibrant hot pink, soft pastel blush, and even orange-pink, with countless shades in between.
In this guide, I’ll explore what pink apples are, the varieties, how they taste, where to find them, and the best ways to cook and play with them in the kitchen.
Pink apples are a REAL - and they're stunning.
Apples: the divine fruit of creation! The most iconic fruit in Western art, literature, and culture. From being the notorious forbidden fruit in the garden of Eden, to falling and inspiring Sir Isaac Newton’s theory of gravity, to becoming the world’s most valuable logo. Since antiquity, the apple has been one of the most popular fruits in the Western World and definitely the most popular pome fruit of them all.
Did ya know apple also come in... hot pink?
There’s actually 7,500 varieties of apples in existence (whoa! #diversity)! 2,500 of them are grown in the US (though only 100 are grown commercially). They come in all different sizes, textures, aromas, flavors and colors!
What are Pink Apples
Pink apples is an umbrella term for all apple varieties with naturally pink flesh.
Their interior color can range from deep crimson to vibrant hot pink, soft pastel blush, and even warm orange-pink — with countless shades in between.
Regardless of the exact hue, these apples surprise and delight with their pretty pink centers, hiding under otherwise ordinary-looking skins.
Varieties of Pink Apples
There’s a TON of varieties of pink apples, some of the most common are:
- Pink Pearl
- Pink Sparkle
- Thornberry
- Geneva Crab
- Giant Russian
- Winter Red Flesh
- Almata
- Mountain Rose
- Red Wonder
- Hidden Rose
- Mott’s Pink
- Grenadine
- Buford Red Flesh
- Niedswetzkyana
- Rubaiyat
- Raven
- Scarlett Surprise
- Arborose Firecracker
Flavor of Pink Apples
Just like other apples, pink-fleshed varieties range along the the sweet-tart spectrum. Their flavor is comparable to classic white-fleshed apples - the different is more visual than taste. Similar apple flavor but... make it pink.
The differences are subtle - you’ll have to develop your apple palate to truly appreciate it.
Where to Find Pink Apples
To find pink apples, check out your local farmers market, especially during peak apple season in late summer and fall. Supermarkets generally carry the exact same 5-10 varieties. Though you can also request your local grocer to start stocking pink apples!
Hidden Rose Apples
The apple pictured in this post are all of the Hidden Rose variety.
They’re a natural hybrid apple first discovered growing wild in the Pacific Northwest around 1960. Their flesh is rose colored, and their flavor is tart and mildly sweet.
More Pink Fruits
Pink apples caught your eye? Same. Pink produce is kind of my love language (and purple veggies have a very special place in my heart).
Here's more pretty pink to explore:
- Pink Pineapple - yes, it's real. The engineered, lycopene-rich fruit
- Pink Lemons — the slightly sweeter, more delicate sibling of the classic yellow.
- Pink Asparagus — the rarest asparagus color of them all, and almost too pretty to cook.
- Pink Oyster Mushrooms — the glam, hot pink mushroom that cooks up even better than it looks.
If you get your hands on some pretty pink asparagus, tag me on Instagram @danielagerson — I'd love to see.
Looking to bake with your apple haul? Try my Apple Cake or Apple Galette.
There’s a whole wide world of colorful fruits and veggies out there - hope this inspires you to bring more of it home and play.
Let's make waves in the kitchen.
It's a pretty pink apple cake.
WOWIE I didn’t even know pink apples like this were real or existed! Your images are sooooo super lovely ~ thanks so much for sharing I love this post! 💗💗💗🍏💗
Yessss pink apples are real and exist! Naturally like that ~ no food coloring or anything artificial. How amazing is nature :)? And thank you so much for the super sweet feedback ~ I really appreciate it!
These apples are some of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen! And that pink color is unreal! Don’t think I’ve seen these before. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much Alex and right?!?! Their pink color is truly unreal! How amazing is Mother Nature :)?!
M&S food have them in at the moment!
Will check them out! Did ya get any Lee? Aren't these apples the prettiest :)? And thanks for the intel!
The varieties that you've mentioned here don't include Redlove. Why?
Besides, is it possible to get some graftwood /scions?
Looking into this Redlove variety now... thanks so much for the tip Firdaus ~ really appreciate it :)!
Hi!! Love this! Check out Lucy™ Glo and Lucy™ Rose! They have unreal color and have hints of berry!
Awesome Lily + thanks so much for the rec! Stoked to check out these apple varieties and really appreciate ya sharing :).
Oh wow! I would love to actually try a real apple. Can I order these in America? We specialize in all fake food and fruit. I just found out what a real orange looks like.. HEEELP
Hi Maureen and yes you can! Melissa's Produce ships them across the US. Enjoy + let me know how it goes :)!
We moved into our house last year with a sweet surprise that our apple tree yields these glorious fleshed fruits. To be honest I was taken back after peeling the 1st five, but thank God for the internet because I would have thought that our tree was diseased or something 😅. Lovely article! I have to look into your list to see which variety we have.
WOWIE Holly! Love that you moved into a house with a pretty ink surprise apple tree + what a sweet surprise! I'd love to see a pic of them if you can share. Thanks so much for the feedback and sharing ~ I really appreciate it :).
I just went to a lovely sculpture trail at Middlethorpe Manor in York (UK) and they said it was okay to take some fruit from the orchard. They had beauuutiful pink apples with pink flesh. I've just eaten one and it smelled like a candy apple!
I can send pictures if you still want them!
Yes Kim I'd still love to see them!!! Did they look like the pink Hidden Rose ones on this post? Thanks so much for sharing and so stoked to see your pink apples :).
Discovered a very old apple tree in my son's yard with reddish pink coloration. They are amazing! Made a pie.
Wow that's so rad Daisy! I'd love to see these reddish pink apples and thanks for sharing :).