A precocious and productive tree that needs diligent thinning to maintain annual production, Elstar can be difficult to grow in the continental summers of the central United States, but it thrives in the Pacific Northwest and coastal areas of the Northeast. This tree is susceptible to scab, mildew, and fireblight.

Ripening mid-season, the apple is medium to large, mottled and striped with red over a yellow background, and slightly russeted at the stem. The creamy-white flesh is crisp and fine grained, with the honeyed sweetness of its mother, Golden Delicious. The other parent of Elstar is Ingrid Marie, which is a Cox's offspring, and from this side of the family Elstar gets its luscious sweet-tart complexity. Tasters find notes of pear and melon. Elstar is a high-quality dessert apple that is also recommended for sauce, juice, and baking. It will keep well in storage for two-three months. This is one of the best!

Elstar was bred in the Netherlands in 1955 and introduced to the United States in 1975. It remains a popular commercial apple in continental Europe. In 1993 it was granted the Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society.