Zestar!® Apple

Overview

Zestar! is another standout from the University of Minnesota, bred from a cross of State Fair x MN 1691. An early to mid-season apple, it ripens in late August to early September at Benson’s Farm in Missoula—just in time to beat the fall frost.

Flavor & Use

Crunchy, subacid, and pleasantly spiced—with a hint of cinnamon.

Only tried fresh so far, but we love the refreshing snap and complex flavor.

One of the best-storing summer apples we’ve grown—holds up over two months in the fridge without turning mealy.

Cold Hardiness

Hardy to -40F, and possibly -45F.

Use caution in regions colder than that—this variety may not hold up in Zone 2 or colder pockets without protection. Zestar! and many other University of Minnesota apples do not shut down early enough in time in the Fall for Ed Schultz in Gallatin Gateway, MT.

Rootstock & Growing Tips

For Spring 2027, we’ve grafted Zestar! onto the full size Spy 227. These were actually grafted in 2025 and will have been growing for two years before the time of fulfillment in Spring 2027. Spy 227 rootstock produces a standard size tree. At maturity, they require spacing of approximately 18–20 feet between trees. With intensive pruning and canopy management, closer spacing may be possible, while wider spacing can improve airflow and light penetration in humid or disease-prone sites.