MUTSU

About the Variety: Mutsu is a Japanese apple bred in 1930 as a cross between Golden Delicious and the Japanese apple Indo. It's one of the largest common apple varieties and has become a favorite in home and community orchards for its size, mild flavor, and versatility. Mutsu is also notable as a parent of several modern disease-resistant varieties.

Fruit Description: Very large, often lopsided apples with yellow-green skin that can develop a light pink blush. Flesh is coarse-crisp, yellowish, and very juicy. Flavor is mild sweet with a hint of tartness, less complex than Golden Delicious but pleasant and refreshing.

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Harvest Window for Cincinnati/Southern Ohio: Early to Mid-October

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Ripeness Indicators:

• Background color shifts from green to yellow-green

• Fruit separates easily with a gentle upward twist

• Seeds turn brown

• Flesh remains firm even at full ripeness
   

Disease Resistance:

• No special breeding for disease resistance

• Moderately susceptible to scab and fire blight

• Benefits from being planted near more resistant varieties and monitored in wet years
   

Best Uses:

• Fresh eating: good size makes it satisfying for out-of-hand eating

• Baking: holds its shape exceptionally well, one of the best baking apples

• Cider: contributes good juice volume

• Storage: stores 3-4 months refrigerated
   

How to Share This Fruit: Mutsu's huge size makes it a natural for "biggest apple" photo moments and kids' harvest events. Because it holds shape so well when baked, pair Mutsu harvest with a baked apple or apple crisp workshop in October. It's a forgiving variety for less disease-savvy volunteers to manage, making it a good teaching tree for new stewards learning to scout for scab and fire blight.