Honeybear Brands kicks off apple season with First Kiss variety

Elgin, Minn.-based Honeybear Brands will soon offer the first taste of the 2024 apple season with its First Kiss apple variety.

Brought to market by Honeybear Brands and grown exclusively in Minnesota, First Kiss will begin shipping nationwide mid-August, according to a news release.

First Kiss, available in limited volume over the last few years, will feature greater volume in the 2024 season, the release said.

First Kiss is a descendant of the favorite Honeycrisp variety and developed in the same Minnesota growing region where the first Honeycrisp was discovered. Described as a sweet/tart and juicy apple with a firm, crisp bite and an eye-catching, deep scarlet skin and bright white flesh, First Kiss is an early season delight, according to Honeybear Brands executive Don Roper.

“Demand for premium apples remains high, and First Kiss represents the start of apple season,” Roper, vice president of sales and marketing, said in the release. “Shoppers and retailers are ready for an injection of fresh flavor on the apple deck. Apple lovers anticipate the exciting First Kiss variety on store shelves and it’s a signal that the apple harvest and flavors of fall are not far behind. There’s a lot of love about a First Kiss apple, but like every first kiss, it’s fleeting, so enjoy them while you can.”