Apples with pink flesh are unique and visually striking compared to the typical white or cream-colored apples. Their vibrant interior often ranges from pale pink to deep rosy red, making them highly appealing for fresh presentation, desserts, and decorative fruit dishes. The color comes from natural pigments in the apple, which also sometimes contribute subtle flavor nuances.
These apples typically have a crisp and juicy texture, offering a refreshing eating experience. The combination of sweetness and tanginess in their flavor makes them versatile for snacking, cooking, and baking. The balance of sugar and acidity often gives them a slightly more complex taste than standard apples.
When sliced, these add a natural pop of color to salads, tarts, and fruit platters. Their eye-catching hue also makes them popular for juices and sauces, providing a unique pink tone without artificial coloring.
Pink-fleshed apples often maintain their texture well when cooked, though some may soften slightly depending on their firmness. This makes them suitable for pies, crisps, and other baked goods where both flavor and appearance matter. Their slightly tart notes can complement sweet ingredients, enhancing the overall taste of recipes.
Apples that are Pink Inside
Pink Pearl
Pink Pearl apples were developed in California, USA, in the 1940s. They are famous for their translucent pink flesh and tart, tangy flavor with a subtle sweetness. Their crisp texture makes them ideal for fresh eating, salads, and desserts, and their striking pink interior adds visual appeal to any dish.
Hidden Rose (or Airlie Red Flesh)
Hidden Rose apples originated in the United States, likely as a seedling discovered in the 1800s. They have deep pink to red flesh with a sweet-tart, almost berry-like flavor. The firm texture and vibrant color make them perfect for fresh consumption, juices, or adding a dramatic color to baked goods.
Pink Spark
Pink Spark apples are a modern variety with bright pink flesh and a crisp, juicy texture. They are sweet-tart with a refreshing, slightly citrusy flavor. Their unique color and flavor make them excellent for snacking, salads, and desserts that need a pop of pink.
Grenadine
Grenadine apples were developed in the United States and are known for their pinkish flesh and tangy-sweet flavor reminiscent of pink lemonade. They are crisp and juicy, making them great for fresh eating, salads, or adding color and flavor to desserts and baked dishes.
Mountain Rose
Mountain Rose apples are an heirloom variety from the Pacific Northwest, USA. They have firm, crisp flesh with a rosy pink interior and a balanced sweet-tart flavor. Their vibrant color holds up well when sliced, making them ideal for fruit platters, tarts, and fresh eating.
Pink Pearl Surprise
Pink Pearl Surprise is a variation of the original Pink Pearl apple, with deeper pink flesh and a tangy-sweet flavor. Crisp and juicy, it is excellent for fresh snacking, juicing, or baking where a naturally pink filling or decoration is desired. Its striking interior also adds a unique aesthetic to dishes.
Rose Pink
Rose Pink apples are an heirloom variety from the United States, prized for their bright pink flesh and crisp, juicy texture. They have a sweet-tart flavor with berry-like undertones, making them perfect for fresh eating, salads, and colorful desserts. Their striking interior also makes them a popular choice for decorative apple slices.
Ruby Frost
Ruby Frost apples were developed in New York, USA, as a cross of Empire and Honeycrisp varieties. They are firm and juicy with a subtle pink hue inside and a balanced sweet-tart flavor. Ruby Frost apples store well and are excellent for snacking, baking, and adding natural color to fruit salads.
Pink Lady (Cripps Pink)
Pink Lady apples were developed in Australia in the 1970s from Golden Delicious and Lady Williams. While their exterior is rosy pink, some Pink Lady apples also show a subtle pink blush in the flesh. They are crisp, sweet-tart, and aromatic, making them ideal for fresh eating, baking, and desserts where a hint of color and tangy flavor is appreciated.
Airlie Red Flesh
Airlie Red Flesh is an American heirloom apple with deep pink to red flesh and a sharp, tart flavor balanced by mild sweetness. The crisp texture makes it great for snacking, pies, or preserving. Its bold pink interior also adds visual flair to sauces and tarts.
Rosalinde
Rosalinde apples were developed in Germany in the late 20th century. They are medium-sized, crisp, and juicy, with a soft pink interior and a bright, tangy-sweet flavor. Rosalinde is perfect for fresh consumption, salads, or desserts where both taste and visual appeal matter.
Pink Pearl Heritage
Pink Pearl Heritage is a close relative of the original Pink Pearl apple, developed in California, USA. It has vibrant pink flesh with a crisp, juicy texture and a lively sweet-tart flavor. Its striking color makes it ideal for fresh eating, pies, tarts, and sauces, where the pink interior creates a visually stunning and flavorful dish.