Cosmic Crisp Apple

Cosmic Crisp® (WA 38) Apple

Short intro (for readers): Washington State University’s modern dessert apple—ultra‑crisp, juicy, and balanced sweet‑tart—with exceptional keeping quality that stays crunchy for months.

SEO title: Cosmic Crisp (WA 38) Apple: Taste, Uses, Season, Storage, and Nutrition
Meta description (120–155 chars): Meet Cosmic Crisp—super‑crisp, juicy, and balanced. Get verified facts on origin (WA‑38), flavor, best uses, harvest, and exceptional storage.

Overview

  • Cultivar: WA 38 (marketed as Cosmic Crisp®)
  • Style: Sweet‑tart • very crisp • juicy • aromatic
  • Best for: Fresh eating, salads, baking, roasting, cider
  • Harvest (N. Hemisphere): Late Sept–Oct (varies by site)
  • Storage: Outstanding—holds firmness and quality for many months in cold/controlled‑atmosphere storage

Origin & History

Cosmic Crisp is the trademark for WSU’s cultivar WA 38, a deliberate cross of Enterprise × Honeycrisp made in 1997 at WSU’s Tree Fruit Research & Extension Center in Wenatchee. The breeding program was led by Bruce Barritt (founder) and later Kate Evans. After test plantings and grower trials, trees were distributed broadly in Washington and the first large retail launch arrived in late 2019.

Name & Brand

The name “Cosmic” refers to the apple’s star‑like lenticels (speckles) that look like a night sky; “Crisp” nods to its parent Honeycrisp and its hallmark texture. WA 38 is marketed under the Cosmic Crisp® brand.

Appearance

Medium‑to‑large fruit with a deep red finish over a yellow‑green ground, often dotted with bright, starry lenticels. Flesh is pale cream, fine‑grained, and very firm.

Flavor & Texture

A high‑crunch apple with a juicy, sweet‑tart balance. Acidity is lively but not sharp; flavors tend to round out during storage while firmness stays high, so it keeps a satisfying bite even months after harvest.

Best Uses

  • Fresh eating & salads: Superb crunch; slices hold texture.
  • Baking & roasting: Flesh holds shape well; great for pies, crisps, galettes, and roasted sides with pork or squash.
  • Cider: Adds aroma, acidity, and structure in dessert‑apple blends.

Season & Availability

Harvest typically late September to early October in Washington and similar climates. Thanks to excellent storability and large plantings, Cosmic Crisp is commonly available year‑round in North America.

Storage & Handling

  • At home: Refrigerate at 32–36°F (0–2°C). Quality remains high for weeks to months.
  • Why it keeps so well: In commercial coldrooms, WA 38 retains firmness unusually well; sweetness climbs slightly as acidity softens over time. Controlled‑atmosphere storage can maintain eating quality for up to ~10 months.
  • Grower note (context): Manage crop load and tree vigor to reduce calcium‑related disorders (e.g., green spot). Timely harvest and appropriate storage atmospheres help prevent internal issues.

Nutrition (per 100 g, apple with skin)

~52 kcal • ~14 g carbohydrate • ~2–3 g dietary fiber • ~4–5 mg vitamin C • ~100 mg potassium.

Buying & Pairing Tips

  • Buy: Firm, heavy fruit with a dense red color and clean, star‑like speckling.
  • Pair with: Cheddar, Gruyère, blue; almonds or walnuts; cinnamon, ginger, cardamom; citrus zest; maple or honey.

Fun Fact

The initial U.S. rollout (2019) was one of the largest marketing launches ever for an apple, helping WA‑grown Cosmic Crisp reach nationwide shelves quickly.

Quick Facts

  • Origin: Washington State University (crossed 1997; launched 2019)
  • Parentage: Enterprise × Honeycrisp
  • Flavor: Balanced sweet‑tart; very juicy
  • Texture: Exceptionally firm and crisp; keeps crunch in storage
  • Best for: Snacking, salads, baking/roasting, cider
  • Harvest: Late Sept–Oct (N. Hemisphere)
  • Storage: Outstanding—months in refrigeration; up to ~10 months in CA

Optional Blocks for Your Page

Tasting Notes (callout box):
Explosively crisp and juicy with a bright sweet‑tart bite that stays lively even after long storage.

Best Uses (bullets): Fresh eating • Salads • Pies & crisps • Roasted sides • Cider blends

Kitchen Tip: For pies with structure and sheen, mix Cosmic Crisp with a tarter apple (e.g., Granny Smith) for snap plus tang.

Scroll to Top