There's a New Top Apple in Town, and It's Called SweeTango
SweeTango is here to dethrone the Honeycrisp.
When I started this silly apple reviewing project, I assumed that the Honeycrisp Apple was still the top dog. However, I discovered there's a cool new kid on the block, and its name is SweeTango.
As an admitted Honeycrisp Skeptic, I was immediately intrigued by a hot, new apple coming to replace the old guard. But I had to confirm for myself. Thankfully, my local market had SweeTango Apples when I happened to be looking for them.
First, a reminder that I did indeed like the Honeycrisp Apple very much. I may not be Honeycrisp Lover like so many other people, but I can still appreciate a great apple. The SweeTango has a high bar to pass.
Joe Fedewa
My first bite was promising and, unsurprisingly, familiar. SweeTango is a cross between a Honeycrisp and a Zestar! apple. It clearly takes after the Honeycrisp much more than the Zestar!, though. The resemblance in flavor and appearance is uncanny. SweeTango is delightfully sweet, crunchy, and juicy. Flavor wise, it's essentially a Honeycrisp that leans on the "honey" part of it's name just a tad more. A cozy sweetness and apple-y flavor.
It's got a great, satisfying crunch. Maybe just a tiny bit firmer than a Honeycrisp, but not much. And probably the same level of juiciness, too. You can see it glisten as you eat it, and I was swallowing juice while chewing. I've got nothing negative to say about the texture.
In my eyes, the SweeTango and Honeycrisp were neck and neck until I paid attention to the skin. That's the one tiny weakness of the Honeycrisp–and SweeTango is better. The skin is a touch thinner, which makes it stick around in your mouth for less time. Zestar! contributed just enough to make a difference.
The Peanut Butter Test
As always, I'm testing how well apples pair with peanut butter as I'm rating them.
Unsurprisingly, the story for SweeTango and peanut butter is about the same as the Honeycrisp. Every apple has a purpose, and sweet apples just aren't the best for dipping in peanut butter. I'll reach for something denser and with more tartness.
The Final Bite
So, by the smallest of margins, I would have to say SweeTango is better than Honeycrisp. But, you know, it doesn't feel as good as I'd hoped to say that. I mean, using a Honeycrisp to beat a Honeycrisp? It's like stealing the smartest person's homework, using a calculator to fix one of the very few wrong answers, and getting the best score in class.
Of course the SweeTango is great–it's made from the best apple. They were even made in the same place. The good news is this isn't a school test. How it got the answers doesn't matter. SweeTango is an excellent apple, and we get to enjoy that. The folks at the University of Minnesota have done it again.
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