Apples

Did you know that there are thousands of different types of apples? Found in shades of red, green, pink, and yellow with a round shape, apples grow on trees and have many different uses.

Some common apple varieties widely found in grocery stores include:

• Fuji – Cultivated by Japanese growers, they have light red skin with hints of green and a sweet flavor. Use for snacking, salads, slaws, and making apple sauce.
• Gala – Light red with some yellow skin, and a sweet and crisp flavor. Use for snacking, cooking, salads, and making apple sauce.
• Granny smith – Bright green color with a very tart flavor. Good for snacking, cooking, salads, and baking.
• Golden delicious – Soft, yellow skin with a very sweet but mild flavor. Good for snacking, baking, and great for making apple sauce. Does not store well.
• Honeycrisp – Mixed red and yellow skin with a bit of green near the stem. Very good for snacking and juicing.
• Pink lady – Pinkish red skin with sweet, mildly tart flavor. Use for snacking and salads.

More great varieties to look out for at farmers’ markets:

• Goldrush – Yellow color with a tart flavor. Best used for making applesauce.
• Stayman winesap – Mix of yellow-green and red color with a mildly tart flavor. Good for snacking and making applesauce.
• Winesap – Deep red skin with a touch of yellow-green and a crisp, sweet flavor. Best used for cooking.

Wash apple well and either eat them whole as a snack or quarter them to easily remove the core and seeds, which are edible but very bitter.

As a general rule, most apples should be stored in the refrigerator. Some, like fuji apples, can be stored in a cool, dark spot like a cupboard or pantry instead. Most cut apples will quickly brown, but can be tossed with lemon to keep from browning as quickly.