There's an apple renaissance underway, an ever-expanding array of colors and tastes in the apple section of supermarkets and farmers markets.

Less visible is the economic machinery that's helping to drive this revolution. An increasing number of these new apples are "club apples" — varieties that are not just patented, but also trademarked and controlled in such a way that only a select "club" of farmers can sell them.

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Apples in the Club

Ambrosia

Developed by: Seedling found in British Columbia
Grown in: Across Canada. Also in Washington state, Chile, Europe, New Zealand
Who can grow it: Growers licensed by Summerland Varieties Corp.
Tasting notes: Sweet, crisp, light
Production: More than a million trees

Autumn Glory

Developed by: Bred in Washington state
Grown in: Washington state
Who can grow it: Domex Superfresh Growers
Tasting notes: Crunchy, sweet, cinnamon
Production: 56,000 trees

Cosmic Crisp

Developed by: Washington State University
Grown in: Washington state (not for sale until 2017)
Who can grow it: Growers in Washington state
Tasting notes: Crisp, juicy, sweet-tart
Production: None so far. First commercial trees are due to be planted in 2017 (300,000 trees)
Footnotes: Cosmic Crisp is a brand, not an apple variety. The apples are from a variety called WA 38.

Envy

Developed by: ENZA, New Zealand
Grown in: Washington, New Zealand, Chile
Who can grow it: Growers affiliated with ENZA
Tasting notes: Smooth, sweet, aromatic
Production: 797,000 trees; 1.2 million trees on order

EverCrisp

Developed by: Midwestern Apple Improvement Association
Grown in: Growers in a dozen states, mostly in the East
Who can grow it: Any member of Midwestern Apple Improvement Association
Tasting notes: Sweet, crisp
Production: 30,000 trees planted. 600,000 ordered.

Jazz

Developed by: ENZA, New Zealand
Grown in: Chile, New Zealand, Washington state in the U.S.
Who can grow it: Growers affiliated with ENZA
Tasting notes: Snappy, tangy, sweet
Production: 1.8 million trees

Kanzi

Developed by: Belgium
Grown in: Michigan and Washington state
Who can grow it: Growers affiliated with Columbia Marketing International
Tasting notes: Sweet, tart, crunchy
Production: Undisclosed. Relatively small production so far in the U.S.

KIKU

Developed by: Brand created by Italian company
Grown in: Europe, New Zealand, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Washington state
Who can grow it: In U.S., growers affiliated with Columbia Marketing International
Tasting notes: Super sweet, crunchy, juicy
Production: Undisclosed. Relatively small production so far in the U.S.
Footnotes: KIKU is a brand, not an apple variety. The apples are from an open variety called Fuji Brak.

Lady Alice

Developed by: Seedling found in Washington state
Grown in: Washington state
Who can grow it: A few growers affiliated with Rainier Fruit Co.
Tasting notes: Sweet-tart, crisp
Production: 300 acres, or roughly 300,000 trees

Opal

Developed by: Czech Republic
Grown in: Many countries
Who can grow it: In the U.S., only Broetje Orchards in Washington state
Tasting notes: Sweet, tangy, crunchy
Production: A million trees in the U.S.
Footnotes: This apple is said to resist browning.

Pacific Rose

Developed by: ENZA, New Zealand
Grown in: Mostly Washington state, although also grown in small numbers in New Zealand
Who can grow it: Growers affiliated with ENZA
Tasting notes: Crisp, clean, sweet
Production: 722,000 trees

Pinata

Developed by: Germany
Grown in: Europe, Washington, Minnesota
Who can grow it: Stemilt Growers in Washington state and Dennis Courtier in Minnesota
Tasting notes: Tropical, crisp, sweet and tart
Production: 375 acres in production, or at least 375,000 trees

RubyFrost

Developed by: Cornell University
Grown in: New York state (not yet for sale)
Who can grow it: Apple growers in New York
Tasting notes: Crisp, sweet-tart
Production: About 200,000 planted, another 200,000 ordered

SnapDragon

Developed by: Cornell University
Grown in: New York state
Who can grow it: Apple growers in New York
Tasting notes: Crunchy, sweet
Production: About 300,000 planted, another 250,000 ordered

Sonya

Developed by: New Zealand
Grown in: Washington state
Who can grow it: Three growers in Washington's Yakima Valley
Tasting notes: Sweet and crunchy
Production: 150,000 trees

SweeTango

Developed by: University of Minnesota
Grown in: Washington, New York, Michigan
Who can grow it: Members of Next Big Thing fruit-growing cooperative
Tasting notes: Crisp, sweet, touch of citrus
Production: 800,000 trees

Source: Photos courtesy their various growers.
Credit: Meredith Rizzo, Alyson Hurt, Eliza Barclay and Dan Charles / NPR