Hokuto

Why you should be excited

Hokuto is the world’s heaviest apple (so say the Guiness people) and it’s also crisp and super-sweet.

The story of Hokuto

Modestly popular in Japan, this offspring of Fuji and Mutsu combines the crisp texture of the former with the large size and round shape of the latter and the sweetness of both.

It’s a bruiser: in 2005, a Hokuto apple weighing in at 1,849 grams (more than four pounds) was registered with the Guiness World Records as the world’s heaviest apple.

It’s also considered to be an apple of excellent quality.

If you’re a fan of sweet apples, work up a good-sized appetite and give a great big Hokuto a try.

Hokuto Facts

Its origins

Bred at Aomori Apple Experiment Station, Japan, 1983 introduction.

Flavour, aroma, texture

Pale yellow flesh with high sugar and excellent flavour.

Appearance

Really big and round in shape, with red stripes on a yellowish background.

When they’re available

Late season (usually late October).

Quality for fresh eating

Excellent.

Quality for cooking

Mainly used for fresh eating.

Quality for cider

Not known as a cider apple but it could provide lots of bulk -- and sugar -- in a cider blend.

Keeping ability

Good (2 months when kept cold).