Different Types Of Apples And How To Use Them

They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but which type of apple are they talking about? With more than 7,500 apple varieties on the planet, it’s no surprise that one apple can look and taste vastly different from another. Some apples are great for baking, while others are better suited for packing in a lunch and eting out of hand. The key is knowing the various types of apples you’re likely to find in the market and how to use them effectively.

Some of the most popular apple types you will find in most produce aisles include Fuji, Granny Smith, Gala, Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, McIntosh, and Red Delicious. Other popular varieties you will see seasonally include Opal, Empire, Golden Delicious, and Braeburn apples. For baking, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, and Braeburn are good choices, while Pink Lady, Fuji, and Honeycrisp are tastiest when eaten raw.

Choosing an apple at the grocery store is more challenging than ever. Sometimes you are faced with nearly a dozen varieties. If you have found yourself confused in the produce aisle when choosing a bunch of apples, then this article is for you. Below is a list of common apple varieties, and the best way to use them.

11 Most Popular Apple Varieties And How To Use Them

1. Granny Smith

Granny Smith apples are a popular variety you can find almost anywhere. You can spot these apples by their bright green skin. In addition to their signature color, these apples are known for their crisp and tart flavor. Granny Smith apples have a high acidity, which gives them a slightly sour taste compared to sweeter varieties. 

Ways to use Granny Smith apples: Granny Smith apples are perfect for baking. Not only does the acidity in the apples add great tartness to pies and other desserts, but these apples don’t turn mushy when baked. The tangy taste of these apples also makes them ideal for slicing and adding to a cheeseboard.

2. Fuji

Fuji apples, as their name suggests, originated in Japan. These sweet and juicy apples are considered a decadent luxury in Japan, and they are often individually packaged, showing just how precious this cargo is. While originally from Japan, they are now grown worldwide.

Ways to use Fuji apples: Fuji apples are tasty and versatile. You can pack them in your child’s lunch, use them for baking, or slice and serve them alongside peanut butter or cheese. These apples also last upwards of two months when properly stored.

3. Gala

When you pass through a grocery store, one of the most popular and often affordable apple varieties you will find is the Gala. These apples are known for their reddish-green skin and year-round availability. The apple flesh is crisp, and the skin is very thin, making it easy to bite through. The flavor of these apples is sweet yet mild.

Ways to use Gala apples: Gala apples are the perfect choice for keeping in the fridge for everyday use. They are available year-round, are affordable, and are easy to eat. They are crisp when bitten into, but the flavor is mild. This makes them perfect for everything from baking sweet desserts to adding to a savory salad.

4. Pink Lady

The Pink Lady apple is a hybrid created in the 1970s, and it derives its name from the pinkish hue of its skin. This apple variety has quickly become available around the world. Once you bite into a Pink Lady, you’ll know why. These apples are bursting with a sweet and tart flavor.

Ways to use Pink Lady apples: These flavorful apples are versatile, delicious, and have a long shelf life. They are great everyday apples, but are exceptionally good for cutting up and displaying. Their high acid and sugar content prevent them from browning prematurely like other apples. This makes them an excellent choice for slicing and serving at parties.

5. Honeycrisp

The Honeycrisp apple is another exceptionally delicious hybrid apple, originating in the United States in the 1960s. This apple is known as the ultimate crispy and flavorful apple, which is where it gets its name. This apple is found in abundance throughout the fall, but is very pricey when purchased out of season.

Ways to use Honeycrisp apples: These apples are fantastic when eaten raw, including when sliced and put atop salads and even savory dishes. While crispy when raw, they can turn to mush when baked, so avoid using them in pies if you are looking to preserve this apple’s crispy texture.

6. Red Delicious

The Red Delicious is known for its classic and iconic shape as well as its thick, deep red color. This apple is often cheap and can be found in places like school cafeterias. The thick skin makes this apple less likely to bruise and easier to store for long periods. 

Ways to use Red Delicious apples: The Red Delicious apple is excellent for juicing, and resists bruising, so it is a good fruit to add to a fruit bowl. This apple is not ideal for baking, and its thick skin and lackluster texture make it a less-than-ideal option for slicing and serving.

7. Braeburn

The Braeburn apple is one of the tastiest fruits to originate from New Zealand. This variety originated in the 1950s, but it continues to grow in popularity, primarily due to its versatility. This apple has a lot of tart and sweet flavor, along with a crispy texture that people love to bite into. 

Ways to use Braeburn apples: This apple is incredibly versatile, allowing you to do just about anything with it. You can bite right into it, slice it and serve it with charcuterie, and even cook with it. Unlike other sweet-tart varieties on this list, the Braeburn will maintain its firm texture when baked in pies and tarts.

8. Golden Delicious

The Golden Delicious apple is a variety that is easily recognizable. Like the Granny Smith, this apple is recognizable by its unique color, but instead of green, this apple is a golden yellow. In addition to its signature color, the Golden Delicious is noted for its thin skin and sweet, mild taste. 

Ways to use Golden Delicious apples: This is an excellent apple to bite right into, especially if you aren’t a fan of more acidic and tart apple varieties. These apples are also fantastic for baking, but they don’t have as much acidity as a Granny Smith, so you may need to adjust your recipe.

9. McIntosh

The McIntosh apple is an icon. Not only is it the symbol and namesake of one of the world’s biggest tech companies, but it’s also been a popular apple variety for nearly a century. The McIntosh apple is round and known for its sweet and tangy flavor. Its thick skin makes it an apple that many people prefer to peel and then eat.

Ways to use McIntosh apples: This is an excellent variety for peeling. While this apple isn’t ideal for baking tarts or pies, it is fantastic for making apple sauce, spiced apple cider, and other holiday beverages. 

10. Empire

The Empire apple is a hybrid that dates back more than 50 years. These cool-weather fruit trees grow, as their name suggests, in New York. This apple is commonly stocked in grocery stores, especially in the autumn. It is known for its crispy white flesh and sweet, tart flavor.

Ways to use Empire apples: This is another versatile variety of apples. It is flavorful and crispy, making it great to eat with the skin on or sliced. It is also tasty when cooked, but it doesn’t stay as firm as a Granny Smith.

11. Opal

The opal is easy to spot because it’s bright yellow. This bright color is the only thing the Opal apple is famous for. It is also one of the few non-browning apples. Unlike many apples that quickly oxidize and turn from white to brown when cut, the opal has natural anti-oxidizing properties.

Ways to use Opal apples: The beautiful color and natural anti-browning properties of the opal apple make it perfect for slicing and adding to fruit salads, savory salads, and cheese boards. If you are looking for an apple that won’t quickly turn brown once sliced, look no further than the Opal.

Summing Up Types Of Apples And How To Use Them

There are thousands of apple varieties on the planet, but only a few of them are household names. When you visit your produce aisle, it's helpful to know how to use each type of apple. Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, and Braeburn apples are great for baking, while Honeycrisp, Empire, and Pink Lady are delicious when eaten raw. McIntosh apples are easy to peel and to make apple sauce, and Opals won’t turn brown, which makes them great for slicing.

Related Guides:

• 12 Types Of Fruit You Shouldn’t Put Directly In The Refrigerator
• Hacks To Make Your Kid’s School Lunches Easier To Prepare
• 12 Frozen Treats You Can Make With Fruit From Your Garden