Everything You Need to Know About Apples
Get ready for ciders, applesauce, and pies, because apple season is officially here! Now is the perfect time to enjoy all that apples have to offer. We have you covered every step of the way, from picking the perfect apple to storing your harvest to delicious recipes to try at home.
Picking Apples
Picking Apples
Look for apples that are firm and free of bruises, and keep an eye on their colour: different varieties change shades as they ripen. For example, a green Granny Smith is typically ripe and ready, a green McIntosh probably needs more time to fully mature. The smell is also a great indicator. Ripe apples have a pleasant fragrance right near the stem, so if it smells sweet, then you have a good one.
How to Store Apples
How to Store Apples
To keep your apples as fresh as possible, store them in a cool, dark, slightly humid spot, such as the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. To prevent spoilage, wash them right before using. Remember to keep an eye out for blemishes or puncture marks. The gas expelled from apples causes any exposed apples (and other neighbouring produce) to spoil quickly.
Varieties of Apples
Varieties of Apples
Crispy and sweet. Green, yellow or deep red. Some are perfect for pies and crisps, while others are best enjoyed fresh, straight from your hand. With so many varieties to choose from, it can be hard to keep track of which apple is best for what. This guide breaks down the most common types of apples and what they’re used for, from the orchard to your dinner table and more.
McIntosh
Mild, juicy and low acid, this apple is one of the most popular varieties grown in Canada.
How to use: Eat fresh, use in an applesauce recipe, or make apple butter.
Gala
Sweet, firm and crisp, this might be the ultimate all-purpose apple.
How to use: This eating apple is great as a snack, but it also bakes well in pies and roast stuffings, like this cranberry-apple version, and lends sweetness to salads.
Honeycrisp
Balanced and sweet with a serious crunch, this is an apple to sink your teeth into. With its thin skin, the Honeycrisp needs a little love when storing to avoid punctures.
How to use: Enjoy fresh.
Spartan
Originating in British Columbia, this hybrid apple is sweet and crunchy with white flesh.
How to use: Try it sautéed in butter with maple syrup and cinnamon and serve warm over waffles.
Golden Delicious
Firm, juicy and mild, this apple is great for snacking.
How to use: Enjoy fresh. This fruit also retains its shape well for baking and is delicious in apple pie or this terrific gluten-free almond apple crisp.
Red Delicious
This apple is crisp and juicy with a mildly grainy flesh and bright red skin.
How to use: Not recommended for cooking. Eat fresh or slice for use in salads, like this Creamy Kale, Romaine & Apple Salad with Spiced Nuts.
Ambrosia
This sweet, low-acid apple is excellent for snacking.
How to use: Enjoy fresh.
Granny Smith
Firm, juicy and acidic, this popular apple is perfect for those who love tart, sour flavours.
How to use: Eat fresh or use in baking. The apple holds its shape well; mix with sweet, soft-textured apples to balance flavour and texture in apple pie.Cortland
Mild, sweet and crisp, this is another all-purpose apple, especially suited to those who enjoy low-acidity fruit.
How to use: Enjoy fresh, on fruit platters, or baked into these caramel-apple phyllo parcels.
Fuji
This large red and pink-speckled apple is crisp, juicy and quite sweet, making it ideal for snacking.
How to use: Enjoy one fresh in-hand, julienned into a coleslaw or salad, or as the base of these crunchy peanut brittle snack pops.
Baking Apples
Baking Apples
For the best baking results, choose firm apples that maintain their shape when baking, such as Granny Smith and Honeycrisp, which are excellent choices for pies, crisps, and tarts. Their balanced flavour and sturdy texture hold up well to heat, giving you an ideal bite. Steer clear of any soft, mealy, or cream-fleshed apples like Red Delicious, Gala, or McIntosh, as they tend to break down too quickly.