When using apples for cooking and baking does it matter the apples you choose to use? It does matter. As all apple varieties have their own flavor and texture.
All apples are made to eat fresh. But to use an apple to make apple pie, apple sauce and even apple juice, the apple you choose matters.
As noted, each variety of apple has its own flavor and texture. And each of those varieties react differently to heat.
In the United States alone, there are 2,500 different varieties of apples. And for that reason it can be challenging to know which apple to use for what kind of recipe.
Cooking With Apples
The following are some of the more popular apples available to buy at the market.
Braeburn
These apples have a sweet-tart flavor. The texture remains firm when it’s baked. Braeburn is an all-purpose apple, as if bakes well in pies and tarts where you don’t want the filling to be overly juicy.
Empire
This apple is a cross between McIntosh and the Red Delicious. It has a firm texture and a sweet-tart flavor. The Empire is a fine all-purpose apple good for juicing, making apple sauce, baking, salads, eating fresh, and drying.
Fuji
The Fuji apple is firm, crisp, and juicy. It’s the most popular apple for eating fresh and for baking as they hold their shape when they cook.
Gala
The Gala is a mildly sweet apple. It’s among one of the best apples to use for making applesauce, juicing, adding to salads, and eating fresh
Golden Delicious
This apple is mildly sweet, and is a good all-around cooking apple that maintains its shape when baking.
Granny Smith
The Granny Smith is a crisp sour or tart apple. It’s an all-purpose cooking apple, and the apples flavor is enhanced when paired with sweeter, spicier apples in pies and tarts.
Honeycrispy
Honeycrisp apples deliciously yummy eating apples. As the name would indicate, they are crisp and juicy, with a honey-sweet tart flavor. They are good for baking and making applesauce.
Ida Red
Ida Reds have a tinted rosy pink flesh that has a tangy flavor. These apples are good for making applesauce and they keep their shape during baking and are also excellent in salads and for freezing.
Jonathan
Jonathans are very tart, and they have a slightly spicy flavor. They hold their shape well when baked. They are also good in salads and for making applesauce.
McIntosh
These apples are crisp and juicy. They tend to break down when cooked so are great for making apple sauce. The are delicious eaten fresh and are best paired with Golden Delicious or other apples in pies and other baked goods.
Different kinds of apples are better suited for certain kinds of recipes than others, but you don’t have to limit yourself to using just one variety of apple when cooking or baking.
Many experienced cooks like to use a mixture of apples to get more complex flavors and textures.
Try These Recipes Using Apples
- Roasted Sausage with Apples and Butternut Squash
- Homemade Cinnamon Brown Sugar Applesauce
- Baked Apples Apple Pie
- Cider Braised Chicken With Apples and Kale
- Roasted Butternut Squash with Apples Cranberries and Candied Walnuts
- Apple Pecan and Goat Cheese Salad with Maple Apple Dressing
- Apple-Cinnamon Upside-Down Cake
More Deliciously Yummy Recipes
- Romaine Lettuce Boats With Marinated Mozzarella Pearls & A Tomato Basil Vinaigrette
- Homemade Hash Browned Potatoes
- Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole
- Cooking With Coriander
- Cooking With Walnuts
