There are more than 6,500 varieties of apples, all derived from the original Asian species. Only about 50 varieties, however, are economically important. Summer, fall, and winter varieties are cultivated. The fall and winter varieties make up the largest part of the total production in the United States.

The leading winter varieties are Red Delicious, McIntosh, Winesap, Rome Beauty, and Golden Delicious. Other popular winter apples are Stayman, Cortland, Baldwin, York Imperial, Rhode Island Greening, and Yorktown Pippin. The leading fall varieties are Jonathan, Wealthy, Grimes Golden, and Northern Spy. Summer varieties include Gravenstein, Early Harvest, and Yellow Transparent.