Bethany Frazier
Price Chopper Dietitian
It’s the season of abundance for apples! Learn more about this fall favorite fruit.
Pink Lady, Fuji, Jonagold, Gala, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp –take your pick.
It’s the season of abundance for apples, meaning all the varieties of apples are available. While we are fortunate enough to have apples year-round, there are also a few special types that pop up this time of year.
Apples are the number one eaten fruit in the US. In fact, the USDA estimates that Americans individually eat about 10 pounds of fresh apples per year. Not only are apples convenient – perfectly snack-sized, no chopping needed – but they’re also incredibly versatile.
For instance, tart apples pair great with a charcuterie tray, and sweeter apples can play a vital role in many favorite desserts. Even if you have been eating apples for most of your life, the variety of apples and their flavor profiles can make it tough to know how to best pair apple types with other flavors. We’ve got some helpful tips to make your favorite apples shine.
Flavor Options:
Tart
- What’s popular? Granny Smith and Pink Lady are old favorites for a touch of sourness.
- How to use them? If you love tart apples, you can use these varieties to cut the sweetness of apples, cobblers, and tarts, or add to salads for a new flavor dimension.
- What else is out there? For something new, try Braeburn apples.
Sweet
- What’s popular? Gala and Honeycrisp are two apples that are great sweet snacks all on their own.
- How to use them? If you prefer sweet to tart, these also work great in pies and cobblers. Get a sweet fix with this Apple Cobbler with Salted Caramel Drizzle
- What else is out there? Ambrosia is a lesser-known sweet variety.
Mild
- What’s popular? Golden Delicious, Fuji, and Envy are easy-to-find mild apples, offering a balance of sweet and tart.
- How to use them? Try your hand at homemade applesauce. Golden Delicious in particular, is a tried-and-true option for applesauce. Seal and preserve for a snack to last through the fall.
- What else is out there? Pick up Courtland or McIntosh for a mix of sweet and tart.
Food Pairing
Because apples offer sweet, sour, and mild in varying amounts, they complement many other flavors and textures.
- Fuji + cheddar cheese: Mix and match mild Fuji with a sharp cheddar flavor.
- Envy or Granny Smith + caramel: Dip an apple into caramel for an old fall favorite. Mild Envy or tart Granny Smith softens the loud sweetness of the caramel.
- Gala or Pink Lady + Nut butter: Sharpen the richness of almond or peanut butter – or another nut butter of your choice.
- Honeycrisp + Pepper Jack cheese: Sweet and spicy make a dynamite duo.
- Ambrosia + yogurt: Pair sweet with mild, creamy yogurt for a delicious snack or breakfast.
- Honeycrisp or Granny Smith + pork chops: Choose an apple with a strong crisp so the fruit holds its shape while cooking.
Non-Browning Apples
If you’re looking for brown-resistant apples, look for Cortland or Pink Lady, which both resist browning! Refrigerate in an airtight container once sliced.
Apple Bar Recipe & Instructions
Now that you’re dreaming of taste sampling, build an Apple Dipping Bar with your choice of apples. This apple bar lets you try different dippings and all the flavors that apples offer – plus it’s a great activity for the kids this fall!
