There’s no fruit we get more excited about in the fall than apples. Freshly picked at a local orchard, apples have a crisp-tart bite we crave. Plus, no fruit is more fun to cook with: from apple pie to cider to sauce, apples bring everyone to the kitchen.
At farmers markets and even supermarkets, we’re seeing new apple varieties crop up every year. While it’s exciting to taste these new and ever-more-delicious fruits, not all apples are created equal. Some are best for eating out of hand, while others are better for baking or jamming. Brush up on the different types of apples, and learn which apples to use when.
Want to store your apples all winter? Here’s how.
Apple Dumpling Bake
William Tell's Never-Miss Apple Cake
Blue-Ribbon Apple Pie
Rustic Caramel Apple Tart
Caramel-Pecan Apple Slices
Potluck German Apple Cake
Mom's Cinnamon-Apple Crisp
Apple Brown Betty
Caramel Apple Float
Apple Kuchen Bars
Different Types of Apples & Their Uses
Braeburn
Born in New Zealand, Braeburns are what you think of when you conjure the smell of autumn. The flesh is sweet and tart, with underlying hints of nutmeg and cinnamon. It’s fairly common throughout the United States, and while this apple is most delicious fresh from the branch, it also performs well in the oven (try using some in our Potluck German Apple Cake.)
Cameo
The Cameo is thought to be a cross of Red and Golden Delicious since it exhibits the best qualities of both. It was discovered in the state of Washington in an orchard of Red Delicious apple trees. It holds its shape well in a pie and delivers a satisfyingly sweet and tart flavor.
Cortland
If you like a McIntosh, give the Cortland apple a try. It’s just a little bit tart and has a wonderfully crisp, finely grained flesh that will help your pie keeps its shape. You can often identify these apples by their bright red color and rather flat shape. So remember: don’t judge an apple by its shape!
Empire
A relative newcomer to the apple scene, the Empire was introduced in New York in the 1960s. This apple stands at the melodious intersection of tart and sweet, crisp and juicy. Calling the Red Delicious and McIntosh its parents, it’s an apple designed to satisfy every eater, no matter their preference. Enjoy it out of hand or cook it—it is as irresistible sliced raw as it is in our Apple Butterscotch Crisp.
Fuji
Though created in Japan, Fujis are the offspring of Red Delicious and Ralls Janet, another American variety. Extremely crisp, they’re among the sweetest apples. Widely produced, there are more Fuji trees in the northern and southern parts of the States than in all of Japan. When it comes to enjoying this apple, be creative! Its firmness makes it a sweet addition to salads as well as baked treats like these homemade crumbles, cobblers and crisps.
Gala
Queen Elizabeth II may have loved it first, but after the New Zealand apple made its way to the U.S. in the 1970s, it became a national favorite here. With golden flesh feathered by pink and orange, this variety is very sweet and crisp. You’ll find it growing in all but the southernmost parts of the country. Get the most out of it by eating it raw, juicing it or adding it to this Spinach, Apple & Pecan Salad.
Golden Delicious
If its name is any indicator, this apple has a lot in common with Red Delicious. Flavor-wise, it’s straightforward: mild and sweet, but more versatile than its blushing sibling. Bite into it raw, or throw it into a dish like this Apple Salad with Maple-Mustard Vinaigrette. Since it juices very little in the oven, it’s great for baking.
Granny Smith
Another grocery store sweetheart, lovely green Granny Smiths are tart and crisp, perfect for adding some depth to desserts—like our Macaroon Apple Cobbler. For bold eaters who enjoy a super tart snack, Granny Smiths are awesome paired with a dip. Try it with the best peanut butter.
Honeycrisp
What you see (and read) is what you get! As the name implies, this apple is sweet, with firm, crisp flesh and flavors that aren’t too overwhelming. Minnesota’s official state fruit is a star performer, and it thrives in a pie. Try it in our Blue-Ribbon Apple Pie.
Jazz
Jazz is a cross between a Braeburn and a Royal Gala. It will surely “jazz up your baking.” It has subtle pear undertones that work for lots of baked goods, as well as everything from roasted meat to vegetable dishes.
McIntosh
The McIntosh has soft flesh and a happy flavor medium between sweet and acidic. Grown primarily in the upper Great Lakes states and into eastern Canada, it is also best raw, although it can hold its own when tossed into a fruit salad or turned into sauce (like our Easy Homemade Chunky Applesauce). Although some enjoy its tart taste in pies, it tends to shrink down quite a bit when baked.
Pink Lady
The Pink Lady is a seductive fruit, offering crispy flesh and a sweet aftertaste following its tarter first bite. Primarily grown in Washington and California, it is very versatile. Enjoy it however you choose, whether raw or in a pie. (Want to mix it up? Try our Dutch Cranberry-Apple pie.) The Pink Lady’s firmness makes it a wonderful addition to any charcuterie board. Unlike other apples, its designation is quite strict; it has to meet firm criteria regarding its sweetness and acidity. If it fails to qualify, it’s called a Cripps Pink (still a tasty apple!).
Red Delicious
This apple is perhaps the most ubiquitous in grocery stores and farmers markets, earning its spot as America’s best-selling apple. It’s the simplest fruit on this list: The sweet flavor is one-note, it’s tastiest as is (it won’t hold up well when baked) and its flesh is crumbly. Fresh is always best.
Macaroon Apple Cobbler
Daughter's Apple Crisp
Apple Butterscotch Crisp
Cranberry-Apple Nut Crunch
Walnut Apple Dessert
Ginger Apple-Pear Crisp
Caramel-Apple Skillet Buckle
Gingersnap Rum Apple Crisp
Cranberry-Pear Apple Crisp
Apple Betty with Almond Cream
Apple and Squash Crisp
Cran-Apple Cobbler
Mom's Cinnamon-Apple Crisp
Gingered Apricot-Apple Crumble
Oat Apple Crisp
Cranberry Betty
Apple Crisp Pizza
Blueberry-Apple Cobbler with Almond Topping
Quick Apple Crisp
Spiced Fruit Crisp
Apple Crisp Muffins
Autumn Harvest Cobbler
Apple Crisp Crescents
Healthy Apple Crisp
Classic Apple Cranberry Crisp
Using the Right Type of Apple
The Best Kinds of Apples for Eating Raw
Generally, apples that are best for eating raw have a naturally sweet flavor—often, their texture doesn’t stand up well to cooking.
- Gala
- McIntosh
- Red Delicious
The Best Kinds of Apples for Baking
Baking apples tend to have a more tart flavor, which helps offset the sugar added to baked goods. Their texture must be able to hold up to baking without becoming unpleasantly mushy or too wet.
- Cameo
- Cortland
- Granny Smith
- Jazz
The All-Star Apples: Eat Raw or Bake
These apples are tart-sweet, so they taste delicious raw, baked or cooked. Buy one of these types if you’re not sure yet how you want to eat your apples.
- Braeburn
- Empire
- Fuji
- Golden Delicious
- Honeycrisp
- Pink Lady
The number of different types of apples out there is virtually limitless. We hope our guide to the most common types helps you pick the best fruit for your fresh pie or cozy apple butter. Happy fall!
The post Are You Using the Right Apple for Your Recipe? appeared first on Taste of Home.
Kim Bussing