Hokuto is the largest apple variety. It is an enormous apple often eaten as a snack because of its juiciness and crisp texture.
They are uniquely big that are not found in other varieties of apples. Locals usually enjoy this natural crispy delicacy in late October.
No more hesitation; let’s find out what this bizarre apple looks like and whether there are any other popular apple varieties of this size.
What Is The Biggest Apple In The World?
According to Guinness World Records, the largest apple in the world is presently held by Chisato Iwasaki. He harvested this apple on October 24, 2005, at his own apple farm in Hirosaki.
Guinness does not publish the cultivar of that apple, but other information sources state that the largest apple variety is the Hokuto cultivar. The apple is a hybrid type between Mutsu and Fuji.
Hokuto apples are unique apples discovered in Japan in 2005.
The world’s heaviest Hokuto apple has a recorded weight of 4 pounds (1.8 kg), so you can imagine its size by calculating an average of 10 apples.
This premium-quality apple variety is perfect for those who like very sweet fruit.
Hokuto apples are unusual in weight and size, but they look just like normal-sized apples. The outer appearance of the fruit is pale pink and red stripes.
The red stripes on the outside and the light yellow flesh on the inside indicate freshness.
High water content and crunchy texture generate juiciness. Hokuto plants feature a distinctively sweet flavor, making many bugs and birds come for pollination.
However, the main reason for its popularity is the exquisite shape that makes us want to bite into it.
What Is The Top Large Apple Variety?
Just because the biggest apple ever harvested was the Hokuto doesn’t indicate that this variety will always produce the largest apples.
Different factors contribute to individual fruit development. However, a few big apples types usually form enormous apples in comparison with other varieties. Here are some large apple varieties.
Wolf River Apple
Characteristics
Wolf River apple trees grow in Wisconsin and are known throughout the state for their culinary potential.
The apple is mild in taste and huge in size. Wolf River is famous for its delicacy and complex aromas.
It is a slightly sweet and juicy apple with tart flavor and spice. The fruit may sound a little inferior compared to other big, good apples, but it’s still one of the best apples to cook with.
Due to their naturally mild flavor and the ability to retain their shape, Wolf River apples are ideal for a wide variety of dishes.
People can consume the apples raw as snacks, or we can preserve them by canning, freezing, or drying.
Wolf River Apple Tree Care
Wolf River apple trees love to be in the sun. It should be planted in a yard or garden that receives full sun all day.
If some of our Wolf River trees are shaded, we may need to deal with bare patches or an imbalanced apple crop.
When planted, Wolf River apple trees require proper hydration and plenty of watering. Once established, these trees thrive best in semi-dry environments and need low moisture levels.
These trees must be pruned in winter or early spring, just before new buds occur. Pruning helps control damaged parts of the tree and encourages even growth.
Gravenstein Apple
Characteristics
Gravenstein apples can weigh up to 1.6 kg (around 3.5 pounds) when managed properly. This heirloom apple variety is enjoyable to grow and highly productive.
However, its short lifespan makes it difficult to transport.
With a tart flavor, sweet taste, and crunchy white flesh, Gravenstein apples are great to eat fresh from the tree.
Because these apples have a short shelf life, there are two traditional methods to preserve them for the winter, including drying and making sauce.
Gravenstein holds its shape when baked or dried, allowing it to be a good candidate for our favorite baked apple recipe. We can make dried apple products or sauces.
Gravenstein Apple Tree Care
Like other apple trees, the Gravenstein apple tree needs basic care but produces a bountiful crop harvest.
When we choose the right spot for our tree in the garden, we’ll be able to harvest big fresh apples for years. Gravenstein apples require full sun. Six hours of solid sunlight is preferable in the morning.
This apple tree has a large spread. Give it enough space and avoid shadows from other plants. It develops best in moderately moist, loamy land with minimal soil dryness throughout the summers.
It tolerates short periods of drought, but like any fruit tree, water is essential for the formation of beautiful, juicy, and big-sized fruit.
Kiku Apple
Characteristics
Kiku apples have beautiful ruby-red stripes on the outside and are characterized by sweetness. On a taste scale from sour to sweet, Kiku apples are among the sweetest apple fruits available today.
The flesh is juicy with a crunchy and firm texture, like its Fuji parent.
Kiku apples are big, and they can develop up to 5 inches in diameter. This apple variety could weigh up to 1 pound.
Most apples have a sugar content of 12-14% Brix, but Kiku apples have a higher sugar content of 16-17% Brix.
Kiku Apple Tree Care
Nurseries are not legitimately permitted to sell authentic Kiku apple trees. There would be saplings stated to be Kiku, which seem similar, yet not identical trees.
Unluckily, obtaining our own Kiku apple tree isn’t as simple as planting a store-bought apple.
The trees need to pollinate their apple blossoms with neighboring trees in the spring. We cannot plant Kiku apples with a different type.
It is just like we cannot grow cucumbers together with tomatoes. The resulting fruits will retain the attribute of the tree on which it pollinates.
The fruit seeds will develop new apples that combine the characteristics of the fruit trees and other trees that provide pollen.
When we want to enjoy real Kiku fruits, buying them instead of growing them from seed is a good idea.
Rome Apple
Characteristics
Rome apple fruits are heirloom apples. They feature a tangy flavor that is ideal for baked apples. Unluckily, the tree is quite susceptible to many apple fruit diseases.
Rome fruits have a very traditional taste, slightly sweet and slightly tangy.
Plus, they also have a slightly floral smell. The apple is like in the middle among apple fruits. Because of its medium taste, Rome apple fruits are among the United States’ top 10 best-selling apples.
Rome Apple Tree Care
Red Roman apples could be developed in USDA Zones 4-8. However, they can also develop in warmer regions. After two to three years of planting, it will produce glossy red apples.
Choose a location to plant our Red Rome trees in full sun or grow light with loamy, nutrient-rich, well-drained soil.
The best soil pH is from 6.0 to 7.0. Soak the roots of the apple trees in a water bucket for 1-2 hours before planting. Dig a hole to hold the root ball.
Soften the soil around the root ball. Position the tree so that it is vertical and the roots are stretched out.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Biggest Apple Type?
The largest apples in the world at the moment are Japan’s Hokuto apples. This variety’s apple got recognized by the Guinness World Records.
Although the cultivar could produce some big apples, it does not mean it will always be. The size of an apple also depends on the cultivation methods, growing conditions, and proper care.
What Is The Largest and Reddest Apple?
The largest and reddest apple is the Red Delicious. These apples are the most iconic red variety. When people think of red apples, they probably think of this variety.
The weight of a Red Delicious apple could be up to 1 lb, depending on the growing conditions and methods.
What Is The Common Method To Grow The Largest Apple?
Thinning Apples are the most common way to grow large apples. By removing bad apples, we can preserve large, healthy fruits.
Thinning will not only increase fruit size but will also form flower buds for next year’s harvest.
Conclusion
The largest apple variety is Hokuto. However, there are more than just the cultivar type to grow large apples. We need to prepare the proper care, farming methods, and conditions.
Consider the above suggestions if you want to choose a good apple fruit cultivar.
