Paula Red Apples: The First Apple of the Season

What Is a Paula Red Apple?

A paula red apple is an early-season variety developed in Michigan in the 1960s. It ripens ahead of almost every other apple — typically in mid-to-late August in Western New York — making it the official start of apple season for orchards near Rochester. Paula Reds are medium-sized, bright red with occasional green streaks, and have a firm, tender flesh that's mildly sweet with a hint of tartness. They're not as intensely flavored as peak-season varieties like Honeycrisp or Macoun, but that's exactly the point: they signal the season has started, and they taste wonderful when they're fresh off the tree. If you've been waiting all summer for apple season to begin, the paula red apple is your first reward.

Paula Red Season at Fisher's Fruit Farm Near Rochester

At Fisher's Fruit Farm in Brockport, NY — about 25 minutes west of Rochester — Paula Red apples are typically the first variety ready to pick each August. The exact window depends on summer heat, rainfall, and how early the trees set fruit in spring, but late August is the reliable target in most years. Paula Reds have a narrower picking window than mid- or late-season varieties, so timing your visit matters. They're at their best for only a few weeks before the next wave of apples arrives. If you want to pick paula red apples near Rochester, checking current picking conditions before heading out is the best way to know exactly what's ready. The farm has been growing them since 1973 alongside Jersey Mac, the other first-of-the-season variety, so staff know these trees well.

Flavor and Texture: What to Expect From a Paula Red

Paula Reds taste best eaten fresh. Their flesh is fine-grained and tender rather than crisp, with a flavor that leans mildly sweet and slightly tart — think of it as a preview of fuller fall flavors rather than the headliner. They're juicy without being watery, and the skin is thin enough that it doesn't get in the way. If you've been eating peaches and nectarines all summer, the shift to a paula red apple feels like a real transition — you're tasting fall before the trees have even turned. They don't keep as long as a Fuji or a Braeburn; plan to eat or use them within a week or two of picking, and store them in the refrigerator to slow softening. Because the texture is tender rather than hard, they're especially good for fresh eating, applesauce, and quick-cooking applications where a softer apple works well.

Best Uses for Paula Red Apples

Paula Reds are versatile early-season apples with a few sweet spots in the kitchen. They're excellent for:

• Fresh eating — Slice them the same day you pick them for the best texture and juice.
• Applesauce — Their tender flesh breaks down easily, and you won't need much added sugar. A batch of early-season applesauce is one of the simplest things you can make with a bag of Paula Reds.
• Apple butter — Low and slow cooking concentrates their flavor beautifully. Mix with later varieties for a more complex result.
• Snacks and lunchboxes — They're sized right for kids and easy to eat fresh.
• Quick apple crisps — The tender texture means shorter bake times, and the mild sweetness pairs well with cinnamon and oats.

For longer baking — pies, tarts, or anything that needs an apple to hold its shape for an hour in the oven — a firmer variety like Granny Smith or Braeburn is a better fit. Paula Reds shine brightest in fresh and quick-cook applications.

How Paula Red Compares to Other Early Varieties We Grow

Fisher's Fruit grows two first-of-season varieties: Paula Red and Jersey Mac. They ripen around the same time and serve a similar purpose — they're the apples that tell you fall is coming. Jersey Mac leans slightly sweeter and is one of the most immediately likable apples of the early season. Paula Red has a bit more tartness and holds up slightly better after picking. If you're visiting when both are available, it's worth picking a mix of each to taste side by side. Both are early and tender, so neither will last as long in the fridge as a mid-season Gala or Fuji. Once those mid-season varieties arrive, the orchard shifts — and by September, you'll have Honeycrisp, Macoun, Empire, and Golden Delicious all competing for attention. But right now, at the very start of the season, the paula red apple is what there is — and it's worth celebrating. See all the varieties we grow on the apples page.

Pricing: What a Bag of Paula Reds Will Cost You

Apple pricing at Fisher's Fruit is the same across varieties: $14 per 8-quart bag and $40 per bushel. An 8-quart bag typically holds 10 to 14 pounds of apples depending on size, which is a solid haul for a household that wants to eat fresh and make a small batch of applesauce. A bushel is the right size if you're planning to cook down a large quantity or want apples to last through September. See the full 2026 pricing page for current details on all fruit. Cash is always welcome, and bringing a bag makes for a good day at the orchard even if you're only planning to stay an hour.

Plan Your Paula Red Visit at Fisher's Fruit Near Rochester

Fisher's Fruit & Christmas Tree Farm is at 467 Euler Rd in Brockport, NY — roughly 25 minutes from downtown Rochester and easy to reach from Greece, Spencerport, Hilton, and the western Monroe County communities. Paula Red season is the best time to visit if you want to beat the September crowds, pick apples with fewer people in the orchard, and experience the farm before it gets busy. The farm has been operating since 1973 and uses organic practices — no systemic pesticides, ever. Before you make the drive, check current picking conditions to confirm Paula Reds are open and to see what else might be ready. You can also follow the farm blog for weekly updates as the season moves through its varieties. Apple season has started — and the paula red apple is how it begins.