September is National Apple Month!
Apples are a timeless fruit that have been around for centuries and won’t be going away anytime soon! They are one of the most popular fruits and for good reason - the delicious fruit has thousands of varieties and is incredibly versatile, however, only dozens account for most of the commercial varieties. Roughly half of the apples in the United States are produced domestically, with the state of Washington dominating production. Areas of New York and Michigan follow, since apples thrive in cool winters and warm, but not overly hot summers. Some of the most popular apples include Gala, Honeycrisp, Red Delicious, Granny Smith, Fuji, and Golden Delicious. Other well-known apple varieties include McIntosh, Cortland, Braeburn, Pink Lady, and Jonagold. Let’s dive into which makes each apple special!
Types of Apples
Gala apples are amongst the most common apples in the United States as well as many parts of the world. They have a sweet taste and crisp texture, making them great for snacking and applesauce. The Gala flavor is simple yet delicious, a perfect combination appeals to consumers and are typically available year-round. Red Delicious apples provide a mildly sweet taste similar to Gala. They are well-known for their striking, deep-red color and almost conical shape. They are ideal for snacking and visual displays. Honeycrisp apples are another versatile apple that work for baking and applesauce. They have a similar taste and appearance to Gala, but are crisper and juicer. There is a strong crunch when biting into one and the taste is balanced between a sweet and tart flavor. Honeycrips are often eaten raw as a quick snack, in salads, and cider blends. Granny Smith apples are known for their bright green color and have a crisp, firm texture with a highly tart taste. They are versatile and are perfect for a range of uses such as baking, where the acidic flavor profile helps in balancing sugar, as well as salads and ciders. Fuji apples are crisp, sweet, and dense, having a higher natural sugar content than some of the others. They are often used in salads and snacking, but are also visually appealing like Red Delicious. Golden Delicious apples have a sweet and mild taste with a tender texture. These apples are the best for all-around cooking, as they are great for sauces, salads, and baking, typically being combed with other varieties for pies since they maintain their shape.
McIntosh apples are juicy and tender, making them great for applesauce, especially in the northeast. Braeburn apples are firm, crisp, and balanced between sweet and tart, making them perfect for snacking and baking, as they can also hold their shape after being baked. Cortland apples have a tart, juicy taste and do not brown quickly. They are excellent for pies, cobblers, cheeseboards, and salads. Pink Lady, also referred to as Cripps Pink apples, have a sweet but tangy taste with a crisp texture. They are often used in tarts, pies, and other baked goods.
What’s Offered at Ed’s Produce:
Retail bags of many varieties
We split on Gala, Honeycrisp, & Granny Smith
We offer snack-pack sliced apples - great for grab and go!
Pick-Your-Own Apples Nearby!
Looking for a fun outing this fall season? Visit a nearby farm for your own apple-picking experience!
Montgomery County
Maple Acres Farm Market – 2656 Narcissa Rd, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462 https://www.mapleacresfarmmarket.com
Bucks County
Shady Brook Farm – 931 Stony Hill Rd, Yardley, PA 19067 https://shadybrookfarm.com
Solebury Orchards – 3325 Creamery Rd, New Hope, PA 18938 https://www.soleburyorchards.com
Styer Orchard – 97 Styers Ln, Langhorne, PA 19047 https://www.styerorchard.com
Delaware County
Linvilla Orchards–137 W Knowlton Rd, Media, PA 19063 https://www.linvilla.com