Productive and reliable, Keepsake is moderately vigorous, cold hardy, and resistant to fireblight and cedar-apple rust. This apple is a great choice for a "starter tree" or for the organic grower.

The appearance of the apple is considered by many to be unappealing, which might account for its lack of commercial success. It is smallish, somewhat tapering and irregular in shape, and the skin is colored orange-red over creamy white patches. This apple is, however, a parent of Honeycrisp, and its texture and flavor are excellent. It is more dense than Honeycrisp, very crisp, strongly aromatic with floral notes, and spicy. Keepsake is named for its excellent storage quality; it is harvested mid-October in upstate NY, and it will keep well for up to six months in regular storage, developing peak flavor in January.

Keepsake was developed at the University of Minnesota by W. H. Alderman, who also brought us Sweet Sixteen. It is a cross of Frostbite and Northern Spy.