![]() It has deep red skin, which turns purple-black and sweeter the longer it is stored. Arkansas BlackĪn heirloom variety first grown in Benton, Arkansas, this apple thrives in warmer climates, which means you’ll find it in orchards throughout the Southeastern and western states and California. Check this chart for more of the commonly available apples, along with seasonality and cooking tips. These varieties are among those seen more regularly at farmers’ markets, broadening the spectrum of apples available beyond the traditional flavors. What you find will greatly depend on what’s in season near you, and where you shop. Traverso’s favorites include Pink Pearl and Calville Blanc d’Hiver, which aren’t commonly found throughout the US. The list of which apple varieties to look for could go on and on. And for sauce making, look for Cameo, Idared and Jonathan, among others. (See her blue ribbon deep-dish apple pie recipe below.)Īpples with a distinctive flavor, ideal for highlighting on cheese or fruit plates, include the cardamom-like spice of Granite Beauty, Mother apple (with a distinctive balsamic flavor), and pineapple-scented Hawaii apple. Traverso likes using Northern Spy, Sierra Beauty, and Esopus Spitzenburg for tartness, and Baldwin, Golden Delicious, Jazz, and Jonagold for sweetness. Among others, Burford recommends Arkansas Black, Ginger Gold, Golden Delicious, Goldrush, Northern Spy, Roxbury Russet and Winesap for making pie. A general rule of thumb is to bake with a mixture of firm-sweet and firm-tart apples. Luckily, there are many varieties of apples that make a good pie. But for every fond apple memory you have - a pie baking, apple sauce simmering on the stovetop, or even cider being pressed - there’s an apple variety that goes best with that preparation. It seems like no matter how many apple pies one bakes, it’s impossible to remember which kind is best for baking versus eating out of hand. Which Apple Varieties Are Best For Pie And Other Uses However, apples that are stored long-term by industrial producers and sold in grocery stores - and are often exposed to a synthetic gas that stops their ripening - may not develop the nuanced flavor and vibrancy of apples stored without gas. Unless you are purchasing apples at the height of the season (generally September to November), apples will likely be cold stored in cellars, barns or other dark, cool places. Many apples can be stored at home for several months under the right conditions: place them in a paper bag or plastic bag with a few holes, in a cool, dark place. ![]() Ripe apples should feel firm and have a mild aroma any strong, banana-like aroma, or softness when touched, indicates the fruit is overripe. Shopping for apples marked local at the grocery store should also reasonably guarantee freshness. How can you tell if an apple is still fresh if you don’t cut into it? Traverso suggests shopping at a farmers’ market or farmstand in order to ask when the apples were picked and taste samples. How to Tell If an Apple Is Fresh and Other Apple Shopping Advice Using the advice of these experts, among others, we have recommendations for some of the most flavorful apples to look out for at farmers’ markets, farmstands and well-stocked grocers this fall. Tom Burford’s “Apples of North America” offers suggestions for nearly 200 heirloom and modern varieties. In “The Apple Lover’s Cookbook,” Amy Traverso writes “Apple varieties are as individual as people, with their own quirky flavors and textures and strengths and behavioral issues.” She identifies 70 great varieties for eating and cooking with. As Richard Powell, executive director of the New England Association and author of “’America’s Apple” and “Apples of New England,” writes: “The benefit of locally grown apples is that, because they do not have to be built for long-distance travel, growers can cultivate a wide range of varieties that greatly expand our experience of this remarkable fruit.” While the apples you find at your local market or farmstand might be smaller, duller in color, or misshapen, they’ll also be truly in-season fruit (especially in the fall months) with nuanced flavors and a connection to the geography around you. With more than 7,500 known varieties, the range of flavors, textures and aromas of apples are infinitely varied, and you’ll have a greater chance of finding that wider variety if you leave the grocery store.
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