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Stayman apple

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Stayman

First raised by Dr Stayman of Leavenworth, Kansas, USA in the 1860s.  The variety gained some commercial popularity in the USA, having been promoted by the famous Stark Brothers Nursery, primarily for its culinary value.

Although originating in Kansas, it is often associated with Virginia, where it is still quite widely grown in pick-your-own orchards.  It is believed to be a seedling of Winesap and is often known as Stayman's Winesap.

Most authorities believe Stayman is a triploid variety, although there is no direct evidence of this. However several of its red-colored sports (e.g. Scarlet Staymared) are triploid.

Stayman apple identification images

All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.

  • Stayman

USDA identification images for Stayman

The identification paintings in the USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection span the years 1886 to 1942.

  • USDA watercolor image of Malus domestica: Stayman

Citation: U.S. Department of Agriculture Pomological Watercolor Collection. Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD 20705.

Parents and other ancestors of this variety


Visitor reviews

  • 07 Jun 2024 
    Once, when driving the backroads of central Virginia, I saw, and stopped at, a large pavilion full of apples for sale. I tried one, and it was amazingly good, like a combination of a Granny Smith (crisp, tart) and a sweet variety like Honeycrisp. I asked the name and was told "Stark Stayman". I now realize that the "Stark" part was the apple's origin, and Stayman the variety. I was told they were at their peak just in the few days when they began to "turn" color. I will return one day to that place.
  • 14 Oct 2019  OHIO, United States
    Having been raised on an orchard with many varieties I can say without a doubt that this is the best apple hands down. Though the most popular sold was red delicious, anyone with a well rounded taste for apples will appreciate the tart yet sweet, firm and snappy chew, and all around versatile staymen. We just got back from picking our own today and of course we had to have one in the car. So very juicy and fragrant!
  • 24 Nov 2018  MD, United States
    Staymans are quite simply the best apples in the world for anyone who loves a tart-sweet apple with substantive crispness and perfect skin bite. I buy bushels in October and annoy my family by taking up half the fridge until I’ve eaten them up, 3 or 4 a day. When I can bring myself to share them, the recipients immediately want to know the variety and where to find them. For example, I just had a text from my daughter who’d given a slice to a work colleague. To know them is to love them!
  • 27 Sep 2017  NC, United States
    As a little girl I'd choose the spotted Stayman-Winesap over all others at the local curb market. To polish one on your shirt and take that first, juicy bite - well, is anything better? That starchy-tart taste can quench your thirst and appetite at the same time. I still like to get a paper bag full of them. I love the hardness of the flesh and the hardiness of the peel. It's not a pretty apple, but it has a distinctive starchy-sweet taste that is excellent for pies, cobblers, and my favorite Fall treat: fried apple pies. Though, to be honest, straight out of the paper bag is my usual way to prepare this apple for eating. Oh, and a quick polish on the shirt-tail. Mighty good eating!
  • 08 Apr 2017  NSW, Australia
    Yes, this is a great tasting apple. It was juicy and just the right combination of tartness and sweetness. I would give it 9/10.
  • 09 Nov 2016  United States
    Found bin of Staymans at local produce stand in Central Virginia. Dull looking apple but was crisp enough. The skin was really tough to chew. Maybe better for baking?
  • 02 Nov 2016  VA, United States
    My first experience with this variety was at a local Farmer's Market in Fredericksburg, Va. a couple of years ago. It's still the only place that I know of where I can get it. I fell in love with it instantly and I look for it every time I go to the market. It has that perfect snappy skin and the texture on the inside is perfect(not too sweet, not too sour). I just love it.
  • 31 Aug 2016  WNC, United States
    This is my favorite all-purpose apple. It's the best for applesauce, it's just right with no need to add sugar. It's also great for fresh eating, just crisp enough and not mushy, good old fashioned Apple taste. Great for Apple butter too, dried apples for tarts, for Apple Betty pies. If I could choose one Apple this is my top favorite.
  • 04 Nov 2015  VA, United States
    Having sample just about ever variety, I can say without doubt that the Staymans is the queen of apples. You know your eating one ripe to perfection when you experience the "strawberry" after taste from each delicious bite.
  • 04 Nov 2015  VA, United States
    Having sample just about ever variety, I can say without doubt that the Staymans is the queen of apples. You know your eating one ripe to perfection when you experience the "strawberry" after taste from each delicious bite.
  • 22 Sep 2015  NY, United States
    Eleanor I love Stayman Winesaps. There's a tree in NJ where I grew up that produced tart great-tasting apples. I wish I could find them in Manhattan!
  • 22 Aug 2014  NJ, United States
    I absolutely love love love this Apple. I live in central jersey just outside of Trenton, and have several you-pick-farms where I can get this Apple. Its never ready here until Oct. It's Crisp, juicy, and tart-sweet, it makes the greatest Baker for pie, holds up well, and the best applesauce by far. The farm I go to calls them Stamen Winesap. I love a cold one from the fridge, and a sprinkle of salt on it. They last till spring in my spare refrigerator. I also make dried chips from them. Mmmm! I can also get them in my local supermarket., but not year round.
  • 26 Nov 2013  WA, United States
    Staymen's winesap was very popular in the dairy region of south central New Jersey when I was a child. Absolutely yummy, hard, crisp and juicy not very pretty color but who cares. Took two forevers to bake but the result was outstanding. In washington there was an orchardist in Kennewick who had a few trees and I always bought from him . When he died the kids took out all those old fashioned trees for more popular ones. Have not been able to find the staymen's since.
  • 04 Sep 2013  MA, United States
    The Stayman makes outstanding apple butter.
  • 15 Nov 2012  Pennsylvania (south-central), United States
    I tasted this apple the first time this year and luckily can get more. I love this apple.
  • 28 Sep 2012  NC, United States
    These are super crisp apple that keep well. I have been a Macintosh only apple eater for 45 years, until now. After having a Stayman right off the tree in Charlottesville, VA, I'm hooked.
  • 18 Sep 2012  FL, United States
    I love this apple m atter of fact I have been traveling from Florida to NC just so I can get this apple to bring home. It also makes the best applesauce and apple pies my husband just loves this apple.
  • 18 Sep 2012  PA, United States
    When the stayman-winesap is "right," it is definitely my favorite apple. It has just the right tartness and snap when you bite into it.
  • 24 Jan 2012  WV, United States
    I love a crisp semi tart Stayman apple.

Tree register

United States

Australia

New Zealand

Spring blossom records for this variety

2020 season

  • 23rd April  2020  - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States

2019 season

  • 22nd May  2019  - tree owned by Wynne in River Falls, United States
  • 24th April  2019  - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States

2018 season

  • 28th April  2018  - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States

2017 season

  • 2nd April  2017  - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States

2016 season

  • 14th April  2016  - tree owned by Gil in Snohomish, United States
  • 29th March  2016  - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States

2015 season

  • 30th April  2015  - tree owned by Michael in Glen Rock, United States

2014 season

  • 10th May  2014  - tree owned by Dennis in Great Meadows, United States
  • 2nd May  2014  - tree owned by Mike in , United States

2012 season

  • 1st April  2012  - tree owned by Ryan in Cumming, United States

2011 season

  • 10th May  2011  - tree owned by J. in Pleasant View, United States

2010 season

  • 3rd May  2010  - tree owned by J. in Pleasant View, United States

2009 season

  • 4th May  2009  - tree owned by J. in Pleasant View, United States
  • April  2009  - tree owned by Jacqueline in Battle Ground, United States

Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.


Harvest records for this variety

2020 season

  • 4th week October  2020  - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States

2018 season

  • 3rd week November  2018  - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States

2017 season

  • 4th week October  2017  - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States

2016 season

  • 1st week October  2016  - tree owned by Gil in Snohomish, United States

2015 season

  • October  2015  - tree owned by Roger in Madison Heights, United States

2011 season

  • October  2011  - tree owned by J. in Pleasant View, United States

2010 season

  • 3rd week October  2010  - tree owned by J. in Pleasant View, United States

2009 season

  • 3rd week October  2009  - tree owned by J. in Pleasant View, United States
  • October  2009  - tree owned by Jacqueline in Battle Ground, United States

Origins

  • Species: Malus domestica - Apple
  • Parentage: Possibly a Winesap seedling
  • Originates from: United States
  • Introduced: 1866
  • Some historical details taken with kind permission from 'The New Book of Apples' by Joan Morgan and Alison Richards , illustrated by Elisabeth Dowle, published by Ebury Press, 2002.

Identification

  • Country of origin: United States
  • Period of origin: 1850 - 1899
  • Fruit colour: Green / Red
  • Annual cycle: Deciduous
  • Flesh colour: White
  • Fruit size: Large

Using

  • Picking season: Late
  • Keeping (of fruit): 1-2 months
  • Flavour quality: Good
  • Flavour style (apples): Sharper
  • Juice style: Sharper
  • Cropping: Good
  • Fruit persistence: Normal ripening
  • Food uses: Eating fresh
  • Food uses: Culinary
  • Food uses: Juice
  • Food uses: Hard cider
  • Food uses: Traditional cooker
  • Picking month: October
  • Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators

Growing

  • Gardening skill: Average
  • Flowering group: 4
  • Pollinating others: Poor
  • Ploidy: Triploid
  • Vigour: Slightly large
  • Self-fertility: Not self-fertile

Climate

  • Climate suitability: Temperate climates
  • Climate suitability: Warm climates
  • Cold-hardiness: Cold-hardy

Other qualities

  • Disease resistance: Average

Where to buy fresh fruit

The following orchards grow Stayman:

United States




References

  • Cedar-Apple Rust  
    Author: Stephen Vann, University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture (FSA7538)
    Rated as susceptible - control usually needed where CAR is prevalent.
  • Apples for the 21st Century
    Author: Manhart

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