Let's Compare Apples to Apples

Green Apples

Let’s compare apples to apples!

Not sure which ones are best for baking or salads, cooking or decoration? There are over 7000 varieties of apples grown worldwide, so needless to say, it can be quite a challenge to pick the right apple. Listed below are just a few apple varieties that are good for cooking, baking and salads. Leave a comment and tell us about your favourite variety!

• Apples float in water because they consist of 25% air.
• Apples are part of the rose family Rosaceae.

Great for Sauce: Softer Apples

Braeburn - Tart and aromatic
Cortland - Tart and crisp
Jonagold - Tangy-sweet
McIntosh - Juicy and sweet
Newton Pippin - Sweet-tart and crisp
Pippin - Sweet
Winesap - Very sweet and juicy
Rubinette - Sweet and sharp
Esopus Spitzenberg - Spicy aromatic
Herefordshire Russet - Sweet and aromatic
Gala - Sweet
Elstar - Crunchy and sweet
Fuji - Sweet and juicy
Gravenstein - Aromatic with a blend of sweet and tart

Great for Baking: Firmer Apples

Granny Smith - Moderately sweet, acidic and very strong tasting
Fuji - Sweet and juicy, firm
Newton Pippin - Sweet-tart and crisp
Rome Beauty - Mildly tart
Braddick’s Nonpareil - Sharp with a hint of sweet
Esopus Spitzenberg - Spicy aromatic
Jazz - Sweet and juicy, with a little acidity
Gala - Sweet
Braeburn - Tart and aromatic
Winesap - Very sweet and juicy

Great for Pies: Firmer Apples

Cortland - Tart
Jonagold - Tart
Rhode Island Greening - Very tart
Northern Spy/Spie - More tart than most varieties
Golden Delicious - Sweeter than most apple varieties
Pink Lady - Crisp and sweet tasting
Gravenstein - Aromatic with a blend of sweet and tart

Great for Salads

Cortland - Tart
Golden Delicious - Sweeter than most apple varieties
Empire -  Juicy, firm, crunchy and sweet
Gala - Crisp, mildly sweet flavor and flora aroma
Red Delicious - Sweet but mild, almost taste like over-ripe melon
Fuji - Sweet and juicy (chill before serving in a salad for a more refreshing taste)
Winesap - Very Sweet and juicy
Criterion - Slightly tart and tangy
Pink Lady - Sweet and crisp

Great for Decorations

Lady Apples - Small and not very tasty
Apple blossoms

TIP: Three medium apples weigh about one pound. One medium apple will yield about one cup of slices, contain approximately 80 calories and is an excellent source of Vitamin C.

References:

Orange Pippin