baking

Not all apples are the same.  With over 7000 varieties of apples, it is wise to learn which types are best for what you want the apple.  Some apples are more soft, some more crunchy and crispy, some mealy, some tart, some sweet, and so on.  Of course, which apple you use can be all subjective, but in the world of apple connoisseurs, there are some apples more suitable for different needs.

Here is a list of some of the more popular apple varieties and how to best use them.

Fresh Eating Apple Varieties

There are so many different tastes for different people’s likings.  Here are some of the most popular.

• Braeburn
• Fuji
• Gala
• Cameo
• Golden Delicious
• Granny Smith (for a tart taste)
• Honeycrisp
• Empire
• Pink Lady or Cripps Pink

Baking Apple Varieties

Popular apples for pies, apple sauce, apple butter, and baking whole.

• Granny Smith  (in our opinion the BEST pie apple)
• Braeburn
• Golden Delicious
• McIntosh
• Rome Beauty
• Cortland
• Jonagold
• Jonathan
• Gala
• Melrose
• Honeycrisp
• Winesap
• Cameo
• Avoid these apples in pie because they become mealy with baking:  Cortland, Gala, and Red Delicious

Cider Apple Varieties

It is proven that the best tasting cider comes from using a variety of all types of apples.  One neighbor who owns a press once told me “The more varieties, the better!”

• Gala
• Rome Beauty
• Golden Delicious
• Grimes Golden
• Jonathan
• Red Delicious
• McIntosh
• Fuji
• Braeburn
• Jonagold
• Cortland

Realize that these lists are not complete by any stretch of the imagination. Remember the 7000 plus varieties?  Our shorter more concise list will be a good place to start!

As you decide what apple you want to have on your own lot, for a great harvest, be sure to check your local garden center for what apple trees do well in your area.  Not all apple trees like to be planted just anywhere. Temperature plays an important role in producing a worthwhile crop.  Read How to Choose an Apple Tree to learn more.