Scientists at Washington State University’s Tree Fruit Research Center in Wenatchee spent two decades developing the Cosmic Crisp apple. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Scientists at Washington State University’s Tree Fruit Research Center in Wenatchee spent two decades developing the Cosmic Crisp apple. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

The juicy new starlet of the apple universe is Cosmic Crisp

They’re the first apples developed in Washington, and growers planted 12 million Cosmic Crisp trees.

EVERETT — It’s the Kardashian of the fruit world.

The juicy starlet became an Instagram hottie almost overnight.

What’s up with that?

Cosmic Crisp is the apple that everybody is talking and posting about.

The Huskies might have trounced the Cougars on the football field this year, but WSU is the winner in this apple cup.

Washington State University apple scientists created Cosmic Crisp. It took 20 years of breeding.

The tart-yet-sweet apples finally came to fruition, arriving in stores nationwide Dec. 1.

Some might say it’s about time. Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Gala, Red Delicious, Fuji and the rest of the apple gang were all created elsewhere.

“This is the first apple that’s developed in Washington state,” said Kathryn Grandy, spokeswoman for Proprietary Variety Management, the company marketing Cosmic Crisp. “For us being the largest apple growing region in the country, it’s a really big deal.”

Washington is the apple capital of the U.S., growing about 70% of the nation’s fresh supply.

Growers have planted 12 million Cosmic Crisp apple trees, Grandy said. The apples will be grown exclusively in Washington for 10 years, with an option for 10 additional years. Growers must have a license and pay a royalty on sales of the fruit. Backyard gardeners in this state can buy the trees through certified nurseries.

For you academics, the apple’s cultivar name is WA 38. Its stage name is Cosmic Crisp. The symbol that you will start seeing everywhere is a cute round speckled swirl with an apple stem that doubles as the “o” in Cosmic.

The ultra-crisp apples are a cross between the Enterprise and the Honeycrisp.

Workers Edilia Ortega (left) and Reynaldo Enriquez pick Cosmic Crisp apples, a new variety and the first-ever bred in Washington, at an orchard in Wapato in October. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Workers Edilia Ortega (left) and Reynaldo Enriquez pick Cosmic Crisp apples, a new variety and the first-ever bred in Washington, at an orchard in Wapato in October. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Honeycrisp, introduced a couple of decades ago by the University of Minnesota, was nicknamed “Moneycrisp” by some growers.

Cosmic Crisp could be dubbed Co$mic Cri$p.

At some stores, a pound of these apples can cost as much as a gallon of gas.

Cosmic Crisps were $3.49 a pound at Safeway last week. At Costco, a package of 14 Cosmic Crisp apples was $14.99, with the same number of organic Gala going for $8.49.

Grandy said the name of this bi-color apple with tiny speckles was coined by consumer testers.

“Someone said, ‘Gosh, it looks like the night sky,’ and somebody else said, ‘Oh, like the cosmos.’ And it’s a Honeycrisp cross, so somebody said, ‘How about Cosmic Crisp?’”

The sky is the limit.

“There are about 400,000 boxes, which is a lot for the first year,” she said. “We are are forecasting 2.1 million boxes for our fall of 2020 harvest and 5.6 million for our fall of 2021 harvest.”

If you think this is all a ploy to get us to buy more apples, you’re right. And it’s just a start.

There will be branded Cosmic Crisp juices, pies, ciders, chocolates and more from partnerships with major companies.

But why wait?

Randy Bolerjack, WSU Everett spokesman, said the slices go great with Cougar Gold cheese.

Andrea Brown: abrown@heraldnet.com; 425-339-3443. Twitter: @reporterbrown.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

South County Fire plans push-in ceremony for newest fire engine

Anybody who attends will have the opportunity to help push the engine into the station.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Photo courtesy of Graphite Arts Center
Amelia DiGiano’s photography is part of the “Seeing Our Planet” exhibit, which opens Friday and runs through Aug. 9 at the Graphite Arts Center in Edmonds.
A&E Calendar for July 10

Send calendar submissions for print and online to features@heraldnet.com. To ensure your… Continue reading

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Lynnwood
Lynnwood child, 4, accidentally shoots mother, father arrested

The child retrieved a loaded firearm from his father, who was asleep at the time, South County deputies said.

Opponents of President Donald Trump’s executive order indefinitely halting refugee resettlement in the U.S. rally on the steps of the federal courthouse in Seattle on Feb. 25, 2025, after a judge issued a ruling blocking the president’s order. (Photo by Jake Goldstein-Street/Washington State Standard)
Refugees from travel ban countries must be allowed to enter US, Seattle judge rules

It’s the latest twist in the legal battle over President Trump’s attempt to block refugee resettlement.

Position 1 candidates prioritize public safety, differ on tax increases

Derica Escamilla is looking to retain her seat against challengers Dio Boucsieguez and Brandon Kimmel.

on Monday, July 14, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mini heat wave moving into Snohomish County

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory, warning of temperatures climbing to mid-80s or low 90s Tuesday and Wednesday.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.