Keepsake is a late-ripening winter apple with a good strong apple flavor - at its best in mid-winter. The apples have a full rich flavor, and a juicy crisp texture.
Keepsake was released in the 1980s but did not achieve much commercial success, perhaps because the apples can be a bit uneven in shape. However the combination of good flavor and disease-resistance makes it a useful choice for the backyard orchard, particularly in the northern states.
You can pre-order now for spring 2025
Keepsake is easy to grow, and has good disease-resistance. The only real issue is a tendency to over-crop, which can lead to biennial bearing (fruiting every other year). This can be prevented by carefully thinning the fruitlets in early June.
Advice on fruit tree pollination.
Keepsake was developed by the University of Minnesota and released in 1978. It is perhaps best-known as one of the parents of Honeycrisp, which inherits Keepsake's excellent disease-resistance.
This variety description was researched and written by Orange Pippin staff. Last checked: 2024.