The original 7 acre orchard that became the nucleus of Ames Farm was originally started and owned by David and Shilon Bedford. David is one of two people responsible for creating the Honeycrisp and Zestar apples at the University of Minnesota Horticulture Research Center or HRC. By purchasing this small orchard we were lucky to be the stewards of some of the original Honeycrisp and Zestar trees and numerous unreleased numbered varieties of apples from HRC. Thus, most of the apple varieties we grow are native Minnesota apples produced at the University of Minnesota HRC. In order of ripening, these are the apples we grow and sell exclusively at the Minneapolis Farmers Market. (sorry no web sales…yet)
	Zestar The newest release from the University of Minnesota Horticulture Research Center (HRC), this cross between the State Fair apple and a numbered variety 1691 is not only tart and juicy, but an exceptional keeper for an early season apple. Look for this apple to ripen during State Fair week here in Minnesota.
Wealthy An heirloom variety, the Wealthy has roots in Minnesota that date back to the 1860’s. The skin is red with green background and the white flesh is crisp with a sprightly aromatic flavor. This early season apple may be the best choice for any sauce or pie recipe.
	Chestnut Crab An eating crab apple dating back to its release by HRC in 1946, this popular little gem is nutty and sweet in flavor and rather large in size for a crab apple. This little golden/red apple ripens around the 10th of September and is usually sold out before the end of the month.
Early Gold This unreleased HRC variety #1403 results from a cross between Golden Delicious and the Duchess and is more crisp then its widely known cousin the Honey Gold. This golden to yellow colored fruit has a unique mild pear-like flavor. Very limited quanities are available in mid-September.
	Witos A Polish apple that is scab resistant and therefore an ideal candidate for organic farming, this apple ripens in early September and has an excellent crunchy texture with a tart, cidery flavor.
Minjon Another heirloom variety, the Minjon is believed to be a cross between the Jonathan and Wealthy. It is a small, firm to medium sized, dark red apple with a tart, dry flavor that stores well.
Sweet 16 This complex flavored, sweet apple was released in 1978 by the University of Minnesota's Horticulural Research Center and is definetely one of the sweetest tasting apples we grow. It’s a difficult apple to grow because if it's picked too early, the flavor is more mild than desireable and if left to mature too long the texture is lost. However, in its prime ripening period during the third week of September, the flavor is a complex mix of cherry and anise tones. The Sweet 16 is a wonderful eating apple and one of the best apples to dry in a dehyrdator.
Sugar King Numbered variety 1780 from HRC, this apple is a cousin of the Sweet 16 but has a harder texture. We have some of the few Sugar King trees in the state, therefore quantities are limited.
Cortland This beautiful dark red, even purplish apple when fully ripe, originates in New York State from a cross of the Ben Davis and Macintosh apples. The clear, white flesh can be slightly tart when picked early and in some seasons develops a honey-like sweetness with age.
Honey Crisp The most exciting apple ever developed at U/M HRC, the Honey Crisp debuted in 1991 and has turned the U.S. apple industry upside down. The apple, when properly ripened, is fire engine to dark red with an occasional striped background. The texture is noticeably crisp and the sweet, juicy flavor is unrivaled by any other American eating apple. This apple also has an amazing ability to store for a long period if kept in a cool place. We routinely keep some into March or April. The home orchard at Ames Farm was originally purchased from David Bedford who is one of the two people at HRC credited with developing the Honeycrisp apple. An interesting piece of trivia is that we have some of the oldest Honeycrisp trees in the world!
Haralson An old time favorite here in Minnesota for those who prefer a tart, crisp apple for baking or eating, the Haralson was released in 1923 by U/M HRC. This red striped variety turns yellow in the background when properly ripened.
	Victory Our secret cooking apple with a depth of flavor that surpasses the more popular Haralson, the Victory is a tricky apple to grow. It likes to fall off the tree as soon as it ripens and is finicky about the weather during the later stages of ripening. This rare, hard to find apple has a very short shelf life of about 2-4 weeks before losing its texture but is well worth getting them while they last when you taste that pie!
Honey Gold A delicate, golden apple that features a sweet, pear-like flesh and mellow flavor, the Honey Gold was released in 1969 by HRC. This is another difficult apple to grow and ripen properly. Many seasons, we aren't able to get a satisfactory result. This is an ideal eating or cooking apple and a favorite for drying here at Ames Farm. The Honeygold ripens around October 10th and stores for about 3-4 weeks.
Red Regent A perfect compliment to the Haralson, the Regent is crisp and sweet, and stores well into January. A 1964 release by HRC, the Regent is a cross between the Red Duchess and Red Delicious.
	Prarie Spy An unpreditable apple to grow and ripen properly, the Prarie Spy has a cult-like following here in Minnesota. We will admit it is a supreme cooking and cider apple.
	Macoun A popular Canadian apple with a texture similar to the Honeycrisp, the flavor is exceptional with hints of strawberry. We just planted this variety in 2001 and harvested our first crop in 2005. I must say, we was quite impressed with this apple.
Fireside A large, fire engine red apple with a firm crunchy texture and semi-sweet flavor, this apple is best when fully ripened somewhere after the 15th of October. The Fireside keeps keep well in storage and is a good dual purpose apple for eating or cooking.
Keepsake The Keepsake is the latest ripening apple and its harvest signals the end of apple season here at Ames Farm. Counter to its name, the apple does not keep that well, maybe into January. The size is medium to small and the apple is red in color. The flavor is sweet and it has a unique star-like shape. The Keepsake is also a HRC creation.