Fall has finally arrived, which means it’s time to embrace the changing colors of the leaves, pumpkin spice, and of course, celebrate apple season! Crisp, sweet, refreshing, and a true symbol of fall, the flavor of an apple freshly picked from a tree is one of the best things on this earth. Apples also provide our bodies with lasting energy, plenty of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. There are over 7500 varieties of apples worldwide. Some are great for eating right from the tree, others are perfect for baking, while others are praised specifically for the juice and cider they create.
Apples are at their peak from late August through November. I love cooking with the seasons, but with so many different varieties of apple, how do you know which to use? Since there are around 2,500 varieties grown in the U.S., I’ll focus on some of the more popular.
Gala – Gala apples are small to medium in size and have a firm, crisp texture. They tend to be pale golden yellow in color with a red blush. These apples are perfect for snacking and ideal for using in salads. They can also be used in pies or other baked goods.
Granny Smith – Medium to large in size, Granny Smith apples are known for their tart flavor. They are green in color and they resist browning more than other varieties when cut. These apples are popular for baking.
Red Delicious – These are the “classic” apple with their shiny, red appearance. They tend to be medium to large in size and their texture is firm and crisp, which makes them ideal for snacking and salads.
Fuji – Fuji apples are medium to large in size with a red blush or red stripes over a yellow background. They have a firm texture, but what makes this variety stand out is how juicy they are. Fuji apples are good for snacking, in salads, for baking and freezing, which makes them a perfect all-around variety.
I love apples prepared so many ways–applesauce, in baked goods, or fresh for snacking. Visit https://bit.ly/2MwwwYV for some yummy sweet and savory recipes using apples with our gourmet sauces and spreads.
