Zestar is an early-season apple known for its crisp, juicy texture and distinctive sweet-tart flavor with a subtle hint of brown sugar. Zestar was introduced in 1999 and was specifically bred to perform well in colder climates.

It is an excellent apple for fresh eating and snacking, but its balanced flavor and firm texture also make it a great choice for baking and cooking, including pies, crisps, sauces, and other apple desserts.

Zestar generally ripens in late August to early September, although the exact harvest time varies by growing region. One of its most special qualities is its unusually good keeping ability for an early-season apple—it can retain its crisp texture and flavor for roughly six to eight weeks, or about two months, when properly refrigerated.