As you walk down the grocery store fruit
aisle, you’ll find dozens of distinct apple varieties, but which should
you choose? Not all apples are made equal. Some varieties make the best
snack, whereas others will be better off in an apple pie or even cider
than your lunchbox.
Apart from their uses and taste profile,
apples also differ in terms of their growing seasons: some are in season
in September and others are in their prime as late as December. Knowing
how to distinguish between the popular apple varieties is helpful for
everyone. In this article, we go through the key characteristics of 10
popular apple varieties, providing you with all the information you need
to match up the perfect apple to your needs.
1. Granny Smith
The Granny Smith is an apple variety you’ll
find in every grocery store in the US, as it’s been one of the
top-ranking apples in terms of sales for several years. These apples
have originated in Australia, and they’re a mix of domestic and wild
apples. The dense and crisp texture of Granny Smith makes it the most
favored apple for making pies.
Color: Green with thick skin and a yellowish blush when ripe
Season: September - October
Flavor: Sweet, juicy, with tart and acidic undertones
Used for: Pies, tarts, salads, juices, and cider.
2. Fuji
Named after Mount Fuji, this Japanese apple
was first developed in the 1930s, and it appeared in the US in the
1980s. Favored for their fruity flavor and versatility, Fuji apples are
one of the best-selling apples in the US today.
Color: Red with yellowish undertones
Season: November - December
Flavor: Mildly sweet and tart, with citrus and honey notes
Used for: Fresh eating, baking, salads, juices, and cider.
3. Red Delicious
The story of the Red Delicious is a
cautionary tale. Between 1968 and 2018, the Red Delicious was the most
widely-grown apple variety in the US, but the apple became a victim of
its own popularity. Farmers started breeding for color and appearance
instead of taste, and the once juicy and sweet Red Delicious lost its
flavor and is now known mainly as the least tasty apple variety. That
said, if you prefer a mild and sweet taste, the Red Delicious may be for
you.
Color: Deep red, with a thicker skin
Season: September - October
Flavor: Mildly sweet
Used for: Fresh eating.
4. McIntosh 
The McIntosh is the national apple of
Canada. Discovered at the beginning of the 19th century by one John
McIntosh, this Canadian apple is extremely popular due to its
versatility and a long growing season. The McIntosh is easy to peel, and
it works extremely well for both snacking and cooking.
Color: Vivid red with green skin
Season: September - December
Flavor: Exceptionally crisp and juicy, sweet and tart, with spicy notes
(flavor fades when stored in the cold)
Used for: Baking, cider, juices, and fresh eating.
5. Cortland
Cortland apples are especially beloved in
New York. These apples are related to the McIntosh, and they’re a common
apple variety among home growers due to the tree’s resistance to many
diseases. Cortland apples work especially well in salads and charcuterie
boards because they don’t turn brown very fast.
Color: Bright red with darker red streaks and a green blush
Season: September - October
Taste: Juicy with a sweet-sour flavor, sometimes described as wine-like
Used for: Salads, charcuterie boards, preserves, ciders, juices, and
fresh eating.
6. Braeburn
Due to their versatility and ease of
growing, Braeburn apples are among the most-favored apples for home
growers and grocers alike. These apples were invented in New Zealand by
breeding Granny Smith and Lady Hamilton apple trees. Like the Granny
Smith, these apples can withstand high temperatures without turning
mushy, which is why they work perfectly for baking.
Color: Yellow and red (or pink) with green undertones, with a yellow
flesh and thin skin
Season: September - October
Flavor: Juicy, sweet, and tart, with notes of pear and nutmeg
Used for: Baking, salads, and fresh eating.
7. Golden Delicious
The Golden Delicious isn’t closely related
to the Red Delicious, but they were picked up by the same manufacturer,
hence the resemblance in the name. The Golden Delicious was discovered
in West Virginia in 1905, and it is now among the most popular apple
varieties in the country.
Color: Pale green to yellow, with white flesh
Season: September - October
Flavor: Balanced sweet and tart, firm and crisp texture
Used for: Baking, sauces, juices, and fresh eating.
8. Pink Lady
Pink Lady was one of the first apples to be
trademarked. Developed by John Cripps, the Australian apple was created
by crossing Golden Delicious with Lady Williams apples. The trademark
is owned by Apple and Pear Australia Limited, and the company oversees
that each apple labeled as Pink Lady has a specific appearance, sugar
content, and crispness. Pink Lady apples are usually on the larger side,
they are extremely versatile, slow to brown, and have an unusually long
growing season too.
Color: Pinkish red, with yellow background and white flesh
Season: April - October
Flavor: Balanced sweet-tart, with thin skin and a crisp texture
Used for: Baking, pies, salads, charcuterie boards, and fresh eating.
9. Gala
In 2018, the popularity of the Red
Delicious as America’s top-selling apple was surpassed by Gala.
America’s favorite snacking apple, Gala apples were developed in New
Zealand by breeding the Golden Delicious and Kidd's Orange Red.
Color: Pink and orange stripes on a yellow background, with a thin skin
Season: August - September
Flavor: Sweet, citrusy, and aromatic
Used for: Applesauce, pies, salads, and fresh eating.
10. Honeycrisp
Let’s finish our list with an unusual
apple. The Honeycrisp is an emerging star in the apple world - a
superbly juicy but also crunchy apple with a balanced flavor profile.
Honeycrisp apples were bred by the University of Minnesota in the 1970s,
and they are the 5th most-grown apple in the country today.
Color: Red with pale yellow and green undertones
Season: September - November
Flavor: Juicy, sweet, tart, and aromatic
Used for: Pies, baking, and salads.