The skin of the Russet apple is brown and rough, making it visually striking and unlike other apples. It is coarse to the touch and has a slight fuzz over it. The skin is tough and hard to bite into. The flesh is stiff and unwieldy, comparable to that of an unripened pear. As for taste, the flavor is also pear-like, while also having a noticeable tartness.

The Russet is a good apple, but it is quite intense.