Honeybear’s First Kiss apple to kick off fall season

Fall is getting its first bite a little early. Honeybear Brands will begin shipping its Minnesota-grown First Kiss apple on August 27, with strong quality expected for the 2026 crop. However, the firm says buyers should secure supplies sooner rather than later, as adverse weather during pollination could hinder total output.

“Harvest will begin as early as next week, and we expect sizing to be strong and large. As trees mature, First Kiss tends to put on good size. Color is also expected to be excellent, with a bright ruby-red skin and Brix in the 13 to 14 range,” President of Sales and Marketing Chuck Sinks told FreshFruitPortal.com.

The variety, which promises a “juicy and tangy” eating experience, was developed by the University of Minnesota’s renowned apple breeding program and is a cross between Honeycrisp and an early-ripening cultivar from France.

Honeybear continues to expand First Kiss orchards as the cultivar builds a successful following in retail.

“[First Kiss] has been an early season winner at retail the past few years. There were some weather implications with a hard frost during pollination and then hail in recent weeks, so we expect volume to be limited. Retailers should get them added to their dance card while they can,” Sinks stressed.

The First Kiss of fall

First Kiss serves as an early-season bridge to the broader fall program. And while Honeybear plans to increase supply to satisfy surging demand, the cultivar remains a short-season offering, Sinks noted.

The variety’s strongest flavor window runs from late August through October, when Honeycrisp and other varieties take over, according to Sinks.

“Its beauty is that it is a really strong early variety in terms of flavor, crunch, and color. It indicates to shoppers that apple season is starting. We sell out of this apple before the flavor fades,” the executive said.

With First Kiss arriving in late August, Honeybear is also rolling out dedicated packaging and promotional materials to build visibility around the launch.

“Retailers are encouraged to utilize the standout pink boxes and point of sale materials to build eye-catching displays. Consumers are drawn to the playful branding and invitation to ‘never forget your First Kiss’. Radio ads in the Twin Cities will help promote the locally grown favorite in that market,” Sinks said.

The company also offers in-store and digital assets available to retailers to support the launch.

*All photos courtesy of Honeybear Brands.

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