Zestar apples

I was up in Northern Michigan this weekend, and the family was raving about a new apple they'd tried from one of their many local farm stands. Zestar! (complete with the exclamation mark) is apparently the hot new apple from the University of Minnesota, which is also responsible for the wildly successful Honeycrisp. Alas, there were none to be found at any of the markets we'd visited, though one farmer did say that he wished he had more Zestar trees, because they've been so popular.

Has anyone seen these for sale in Chicago?

HarvesTime had "zesta" apples about 3 or 4 weeks ago. There were no little stickers or other branding on the apples, but these may have been what you were referring to. They were very crisp with a nice balance between sweet and tart. Their stock of the apples sold out in about a week, and I have not seen them there since that time. I will post again if they restock.

HarvesTime
2632 W Lawrence Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 989-4400

The season's first batch of "zesta" apples have arrived at HarvesTime. As was the case last year, there are no little stickers or other branding on the apples, so I don't know if these are the same variety of apples referred to in the OP. However, they have the same very crisp texture and nice balance between sweet and tart that I recall from last year. $.69 per pound.

HarvesTime
2632 W Lawrence Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 989-4400

For anyone who may be travelling through Wisconsin, Star Valley Orchards, (Next to I-94 Warrens Exit #135 on the West side, 3517 Blarney Rd, Warrens) started picking their Zestar! apples two days ago.

Nichols has had these at the Evanston Farmers' Market for the past two weeks.

I just bought a couple at Tuesday's Farmers market at Prudential Plaza (although they were minus the exclamation point on the sign). I enjoyed them very much, kind of tangy and full of flavor. I'll definitely buy again this week.

This past weekend Kuiper's orchard west of Elburn opened up so we stopped by Sunday to get some apples before it gets crazy out there with their fall "attractions". The U-pick is open as is their store. Inside the store we were given samples of the Zestar apples which are new to them and we liked and wound up buying a half peck along with some other varieties.

Kuipers Family Farm
145 Watson Road (off Rte. 38)
Maple Park, Il
815-827-5200

Bought at Fresh Farms in Niles this morning for $.69/lb and they were in good supply. Haven't tried them yet.

Nichols' Farm had them today, along w/ a ton of others, including Honey Crisp, at Daley Plaza Farmers' Market.