Cripps Pink Apple Review
"The Understudy of the Pink Lady"
Let me be clear: Cripps Pink and Pink Lady Apples are not the same apple. Yes, it is true that Cripps Pink and Pink Lady Apples are the same genetic variety. Certain enterprising breeders may even have the audacity to claim that there is no difference between the two varieties other than a fancy trademark. But do not be fooled! Cripps Pink apples are inferior to the Pink Lady. They are the practice squad, the understudies, the B-Team – a sad, hopeless crop of dashed dreams performing a depressing charade like a group of retirees with a local theater group.
You must earn the title of Pink Lady. And the Cripps Pink apples you see in the store, after being evaluated for sugar content, firmness, color, and blemishes did not make the cut. That’s not to say a few stray Cripps Pinks might not offer a passing note of satisfaction here and there. But if you’re looking for consistency, strong flavor, and a beautiful pink exterior – pay the Cripps Pink no heed.
- FLAVOR PROFILE -
SWEETNESS
1.5/5
TARTNESS
1/5
INTENSITY
1/5
CRIPPS PINK BIO
PARENTAGE
Lady Williams x Golden Delicious
ORIGIN
Western Australia
YEAR
1973
AVAILABILITY
Year-round
BEST USES
Munching, Baking
Eat These Apples Instead
Cripps Pink Is Better Than
- Red Delicious Apples
- Ruby Frost Apples
- Breeze Apples
These are comparable to Red Delicious in my experience :/
some are just too small to be Pink Ladies! Do not underestimate Cripps Pink
Can u pls do the Bravo Apple next
I have personally never had a bad Cripps Pink Lady Apple. I in fact thought that the name Cripps was a brand similar to “Dole” bananas, so I haven’t noticed the difference (other than the small and more muted appearance). I always buy Pink lady’s-Cripps or not-so I have tried a lot of batches from different stores and areas of the US and AUS over the years. I’m very surprised to learn of the terrible experiences others have had with this variety.
I have had Pink Lady apples, which paled to Honey Crisp. Just had 2 batches of Cripps and Pink Lady and even Honey Crisp have paled in the departments of crisp, tart, and sweet. Slightly smaller than Pink Lady, these smaller beauties of Cripps concentrated all the goodness of Honey Crisp and Jazz in one. Not even vaguely like Pink Lady which I’ve eaten for years.
Have always preferred the Cripps Pink over the Pink Lady. Always a little crisper always slightly more tart than sweet. It is my belief that you wrote the review you did in order to steer people away from the clearly superior specimen of apple in order to keep them eating the lesser, Pink Lady! For shame!
Leave the local theater groups alone!
Anybody can state about an appropriate USDA Zone hardiness for that variety please?
A very fine apple–a bit tart, sweet, very crisp. Purchased in March 2025 in the USA. I’ll buy ’em again!
Common knowledge among produce managers is that Cripps Pink are *at best* “budget Pink Lady” apples. Many stores only carry one or the other, so folks who shop only at those stores… well, they don’t know what they don’t know. At my store, we have always labeled and sold them separately – because it’s obvious to anyone who eats one or the other that they are substantially different.
Very rarely, we’ll get small batches of Cripps Pink (more commonly only a few apples per hundred pounds or so) that exhibit MOST of the desirable Pink Lady characteristics – but never all of them, and in this region (Western USA) both varieties cost the same… so Pink Lady is ALWAYS preferred. If there exists a Cripps Pink that can *reliably* approach to within about 75% of the quality and taste of a Pink Lady, I’m not aware of it. I’d know. I sample apples from both varieties at least 4 times a week as part of my job; I’ve had a few “good” Cripps Pinks over the decades, but never one that came close to even an “average” Pink Lady.
Pink Lady apples are genuinely better (on the objective metrics used by produce/grocery stores), even considering Cripps Pinks in the best possible light. If you doubt an expert’s opinion (and you should, this being the internet), do a few side-by-sides.
Just discovered this thread and it’s now my new favorite website lmao
Recuerdo cuando se registró la variedad cripps pink en el RNC Y RNPC automáticamente se registró la marca PATENTE de manzana pink lady NOOO ES VARIEDAD es MARCA DE MANZANA SOLO FRUTA o sea si se producía CRIPPS PINK las manzanas eran o son variedad cripps pink PERO SÍ PAGABAS POR LA MARCA podías venderlas como PINK LADY. EN ARGENTINA NO SE PATENTAN LAS VARIEDADES O CULTIVARES DE PLANTAS.
Great review, Brian! I love Cripps Pink apples for their sweet and tangy flavor. Your insights about their texture and versatility in recipes really resonated with me. Looking forward to trying some of your suggested pairings!