Say Hello To ‘EverCrisp’ 2.0 – A Real Looker of an Apple
May 9, 2023 
The newest version of EverCrisp, the ‘MAIA-Mitchell’ apple, is prized for its bright red, uniform coloring. (Photo courtesy of Midwest Apple Improvement Association)
The Midwest Apple Improvement Association (MAIA) has announced the introduction of ‘MAIA-Mitchell’, which they describe as an advanced and more vibrant coloring strain of its groundbreaking predecessor, ‘MAIA-1’, commonly known as ‘EverCrisp‘. This first big hit by the MAIA, prized for its long-lasting crunch, was produced for Midwestern conditions, but has become known to growers everywhere.
MAIA President Bill Dodd describes this new version as a revolutionary “chili-red” apple that boasts outstanding color, which begins developing up to eight weeks earlier than ‘MAIA-1’, with up to 88% of the fruit displaying its stunning hue.
Consumers can expect the same exceptional qualities found in ‘MAIA-1’, Dodd says, including a superior crunchy texture, maximum juiciness, and unparalleled flavor.
Discovered by Bill Pitts in Wayne County, NY, in 2018, ‘MAIA-Mitchell’ emerged as a limb mutation in a commercial orchard. With a patent pending (USPTO Application Number 18130019), ‘MAIA-Mitchell’s fruit, which meets strict quality standards, will be marketed as ‘EverCrisp’.
Dodd, American Fruit Grower’s 2015 Apple Grower of the Year, asked if growers could still plant the popular, original ‘EverCrisp’, compared ‘MAIA-Mitchell’s evolution to that of a wildly popular variety.
“’MAIA1’ will still be available, but my guess is the growers will prefer the ‘Mitchell’ strain,” Dodd, who farms in Ohio, says. “An example would be ‘Honeycrisp’. I do not have any data, but I imagine that growers are mainly planting the red strains and the original, while still available, is not being planted much.”
‘MAIA-Mitchell’ trees will be available in limited supply from MAIA-licensed nurseries. Please contact your local nursery for availability.
‘MAIA-Mitchell’ will be marketed as ‘EverCrisp’. (Photo courtesy of MAIA)
‘MAIA-1’, marketed as ‘EverCrisp’, was released by MAIA in 2014, following the successful controlled cross between ‘Honeycrisp’ and ‘Fuji’ apples. This innovative variety set the stage for future advancements in apple cultivation. The original ‘MAIA-1’ seedling tree can be found in Wabash, IN.
MAIA was established in the mid-1990s, founded with the vision of creating apple varieties specifically tailored to the climate and challenges faced by Midwest growers. The organization also aimed to foster a strong membership community for apple growers of all sizes, extending its reach beyond the Midwest to a global scale. Today, MAIA represents more than 1,100 members with more than 3.5 million trees spanning the U.S., Canada, and other international locations.
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