Big ‘Kudos’ to the Newest Apple Variety from the University of Minnesota
September 21, 2023 
The ‘Kudos’ apple was developed by crossing the University of Minnesota hits ‘Honeycrisp’ and ‘Zestar!’, making it a sibling of ‘SweeTango.’
Photo courtesy of University of Minnesota
The all-star lineup of apple varieties from the University of Minnesota, including ‘Honeycrisp’, ‘SweeTango’, and ‘Zestar!’, is getting a new addition. Now introducing, ‘Kudos’ brand MN33 apples.
According to the breeders behind the new variety, ‘Kudos’ is a beautiful red apple with a unique combination of traits including an excellent crisp, juicy texture, and a sweet, well balanced flavor with occasional tropical overtones. It was developed by crossing ‘Honeycrisp‘ and ‘Zestar!’ making it a sibling of the ‘SweeTango‘ apple.
“Eating a ‘Kudos’ apple is like having a crunchy, juicy tropical party in your mouth,” says University of Minnesota apple breeder David Bedford. “It has the crisp, juicy texture of ‘Honeycrisp’ and the rich flavor of ‘Zestar!’ but with a slight tropical twist.”
After years of testing at the University’s Horticultural Research Center located at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and in orchards across Minnesota and top apple producing states, ‘Kudos’ trees have proven hardy up to USDA Zone 4, with fruit ripening in late September.
‘Kudos’ MN33 apple Specs
Parentage: ‘Honeycrisp’ x ‘Minnewashta’ (known as ‘Zestar!’)
Harvest season: Late September; similar to Honeycrisp or up to 1 week later.
Fruit
Size: 2.9 to 3.2 inches
Skin color: 85% to 95% blushed red
Texture: very crisp and juicy; usually 17 to 19 lbs pressure at harvest
Flavor: sweet, well balanced; sometimes with tropical overtones.
Storage life: up to 5 months in common storage (without 1-MCP).
Tree
Vigor: medium to high
Form: spreading
Fruit adherence: good
Cropping: consistent annual bearing
Hardiness: USDA zone 4
Disease resistance
Scab: somewhat tolerant; similar to ‘Honeycrisp’
Fire blight: not observed
‘Kudos’ apples will not be widely available in the marketplace for two to three years as commercial orchards plant trees and allow those trees to mature and bear fruit.
For commercial growers interested in purchasing and planting trees, ‘Kudos’ has been released as an “open variety” (tree royalty only) and orchards may purchase trees directly from nurseries licensed by the University of Minnesota.
Visit mnhardy.umn.edu/kudos for a list of licensed nurseries and more information.
Subscribe Today For
