Choosing the best apples for baking—specifically, the best apples for apple pie—can be a challenge. In addition to the standard specimens you’ll find at the supermarket (we’re talking Granny Smiths, Golden Delicious, and Galas), there are hundreds of heirloom apple varieties sold at farmers markets and orchards. Some are ideal for eating out of hand, others shine when baked, and still others are best pressed into cider. How is one supposed to distinguish between the thousands of varieties of the fruit available? It’s like comparing apples to…well, apples.
You might be tempted to categorize the fruits by color: Apples can range from light yellow and green to deep red. But the primary difference between apples boils down to two factors: flavor and texture. Some apples pack a lip-smacking tartness (think sour apple), while others lean into a honey-like sweetness. Some apples are firmer, able to hold their shape when cooked; others are mealier and will collapse when introduced to heat. Determining where an apple falls on the sweet-tart/firm-mealy spectrum will help you understand how to best harness its potential—and most importantly, which varieties to seek out for your homemade apple pie.
Best Sweet Apples for Baking:Jazz.Pazazz.Honeycrisp.Pink Lady.Jonagold.Fuji.Rome.
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Jazz.
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Pazazz.
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Honeycrisp.
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Pink Lady.
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Jonagold.
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Fuji.
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Rome.
Picking the best apples from the bunch:
Though many types of apples can be found in grocery stores year-round, the fruit is technically in season from late July to late November. This is when apples will be at their most flavorful, ideal for eating on their own or swaddling in buttery pastry.
When shopping for apples, look for ones that feel firm and smell fragrant. Avoid apples that have bruises or soft spots. Even the firmest apples will become mealy the longer they’re stored, so seek out the freshest fruit. To judge an apples freshness, flip it over and examine the blossom on the base. As an apple ages, the blossom opens up; if the blossom is closed, it’s fresh, but if it’s open, it’s likely an older apple.
Sweet Southern Fried Apples | Quick and Easy Cinnamon Apples | Mattie’s Kitchen
FAQ
What apple is best for baking a cake?
What is the most delicious apple to eat?
What is the sweetest Apple?
While there is an extremely wide variety of apples, all with varying flavors, the sweetest-tasting apple is fuji, followed by gala, honeycrisp, and Red Delicious apples. These apples are great for snacking and eating as is. Granny Smith, McIntosh, and Pink Lady fall on the tart end of the spectrum.
Are apples low in calories?
Yes, apples are low in calories. A medium-sized apple has about 95 calories. Apples are a good source of fiber and vitamins A and C. They also contain a substance called pectin, which can help to promote feelings of fullness. Including apples in your diet may help you to control your weight. Eat them as part of a healthy diet that includes a variety of other fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats.
What are the sweetest apples to pick?
Fuji, Gala, Honeycrisp, Kiku, and Golden Delicious are some of the sweetest apple varieties available. If you prefer tart flavors, Jonagold, Braeburn, and Granny Smith apples are good choices. Choose apples based on your preferred level of sweetness or tartness using the Apple Sweetness Chart. What is the sweet-to-tart chart in apple picking?
What are the best apples to eat?
Let’s dive right in! The Apple Sweetness Scale is a tool that arranges apples from sweet to tart based on their acid and sugar levels. Fuji, Gala, Honeycrisp, Kiku, and Golden Delicious are some of the sweetest apple varieties available. If you prefer tart flavors, Jonagold, Braeburn, and Granny Smith apples are good choices.