This tree is vigorous and productive, but its lanky and very upright habit will make it difficult to train in some systems, and like many cider varieties, it tends to biennialism. Resistance to mildew and fireblight has been reported. Blanquina will be a good pollination partner. Cristalina is a cider apple; it is not suitable for fresh eating.

The apple is a medium-sized conical fruit that is a dark red flecked over green. It yields a sweet (dulce) juice. (The traditional Spanish cider apple classifications are ácido, semiácido, dulce, amargo, ácido-amargo, amargo-ácido semiácido-amargo, amargo-semiácido, dulce-amargo.) Cristalina is an Asturian cider (sidra) apple that is approved by The Regulatory Council of Origin Cider of Asturias.

Spanish cider apples have not yet been widely tested in the United States, but the native climate of these apples should be taken into consideration. Asturias enjoys abundant year-round rainfall, mild summers, and temperate winters. Costal winter temperatures are typically in the 50s and summer temperatures are in the 70s.