Honeycrisp are American native apples originating from the University of Minnesota. They're also the state's official fruit. The apples were bred solely for their flavor, not for easy storing, shipping, or growing. They have a balanced sweet-tart flavor, and a crisp and juicy texture.

When you bite into one, the refreshing sweetness shatters in your mouth because these apples have large cells that fracture cleanly and release the juice when bitten, which is a unique trait of Honeycrisp. It's recommended to consume the apples raw as a snack, pair them with cheese, or use them in fresh salads, just don't bake them because Honeycrisp apples are not intended for the oven.

SweeTango is a brand of apples that's been developed in Minnesota in 2000. These apples are a hybrid of Zestar and Honeycrisp breeds, and they've been commercially sold since 2009. They are characterized by their loud crunch, and they even hold the Guinness World Record for the loudest crunch of an apple.

The flavor is intense, rich, sweet, and tangy, while the apples themselves are red in color with a yellow background.

Idared is an apple variety that was first developed in Idaho. It's a cross between the Jonathan and Wagener breeds. The apples are medium-sized with a bright red and green-red color. The flesh is juicy, crisp, and firm, while the flavors are sweet, tart, aromatic, and refreshing.

Available from fall through early summer, Idared apples are great for cooking and baking because they hold their shape very well. They can also be eaten raw, added to salads, or paired with strong blue cheese.

Golden Delicious is an apple variety that's believed to be a product of unintentional breeding between Grimes Golden and Golden Reinette. It has no connection to the Red Delicious. The original tree was discovered in West Virginia at the end of the 19th century, and it's been the official state fruit since 1995.

The apples are large and yellow-green in color. The flavor is very sweet, slightly tart, and aromatic, while the flesh is white in color and the texture is crisp and firm. It's recommended to use Golden Delicious apples in salads or the preparation of apple sauce and apple butter. 

Cosmic Crisp (known to experts as WA 38) is an American apple variety that's a cross between Honeycrisp and Enterprise. Grown in Washington State orchards, the apples are large, red, crunchy, juicy, acidic, and sweet.

They can be eaten as they are or baked. These apples ripen more uniformly than other apple varieties, and once picked, they even brown more slowly than the other apples. Another key factor is their lengthy shelf life – apparently, Cosmic Crisp apples can stay fresh in the fridge for up to a year! 

Jonathan is an apple variety that's believed to have originated in Woodstock, New York in 1826. This apple is a parent to many other varieties such as Jonagold, Jonafree, and Jonamac. The apples are medium-sized with a thin red skin and yellow or green blushes.

The texture of the flesh is juicy and crisp, while the flavors are mildly sweet, tart, and tangy with hints of spice. Available in the fall, Jonathan apples are usually cooked or eaten fresh. It's recommended to add slices to tarts, purees, soups, or use it in pies and sauces. 

Sweet Sixteen is an American apple variety originating from Minnesota and dating back to 1973, when it was developed as a cross between Malinda and Northern Spy by the University of Minnesota. The apples are large and conical, with a greenish-yellow skin and red stripes.

Beneath the skin, the texture of the flesh is coarse and crisp, while the flavors are sweet with spicy hints and a slightly tart aftertaste. Sweet Sixteen apples ripen in fall and it’s recommended to use them in desserts and baking.

Empire is an apple variety that was cultivated as a hybrid between McIntosh and Red Delicious in Geneva, New York in 1945. The apples are bright red in color with faint white striations and a light green blush. The flesh is creamy white in color, while the texture is crisp and juicy.

The flavor is sweet and tart. Available from fall until mid-winter, Empire apples are usually baked, sautéed, or roasted. When fresh, they're used in salads or coleslaw. It's recommended to pair them with sharp cheeses, pears, pumpkin, and warming spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg.

Cortland is an American apple variety dating back to 1898, when it was raised at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station and named after Cortland County. These apples are bright red with dark red streaks, and often a green blush.

The flesh is white and juicy, while the flavors are tart and sweet. Cortlands are a cross between the Ben Davis and the McIntosh. It's recommended to use the apples in cooking, for making apple sauce, apple butter, and juices, but they're also eaten fresh when available (in fall through spring).