{"id":3303,"date":"2025-01-25T13:34:19","date_gmt":"2025-01-25T13:34:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/movewithnicole.com.au\/blog\/14-varieties-of-apples-and-their-distinct-characteristics.html"},"modified":"2025-01-25T13:34:19","modified_gmt":"2025-01-25T13:34:19","slug":"14-varieties-of-apples-and-their-distinct-characteristics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ozhelp.org.au\/blog\/health\/14-varieties-of-apples-and-their-distinct-characteristics.html","title":{"rendered":"14 Varieties of Apples and Their Distinct Characteristics"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summer has given way to fall, but it\u2019s not just the air that\u2019s getting crisper \u2014 it\u2019s apple season. While most types of apples are available year-round, they\u2019re typically harvested during the autumn months.<\/p>\n

There are more than 100 apple varieties grown commercially in the United States, representing a whole host of shapes, color schemes, textures, and flavor profiles. They\u2019re also high in nutrients including fiber and vitamin C.<\/p>\n

Apples are good for you in a number of ways: they may benefit your cardiovascular system and are reported to help support healthy blood sugar. They also contain pectin, a type of fiber that is believed to help keep you regular, and could possibly have a beneficial impact on your blood lipid profile.<\/p>\n

Here are seven of the most common single-breed varieties of apple along with seven hybrids. So, whether you\u2019re picking them from the orchard or the produce aisle, you\u2019ll know what to expect in terms of taste as well as how best to enjoy the often very different types of apples.<\/p>\n

1. Red Delicious<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n

Formerly known as the Hawkeye, Red Delicious apples are considered by some the most popular, most maligned, and most ironically named of all apple varieties in the U.S. While it\u2019s the most widely available type of red apple, it\u2019s far from the most flavorful.<\/p>\n

Flavor profile: After generations of breeding for longer shelf life and cosmetic stability \u2014 call it vanity ripeness \u2014 the flavor has mostly been cultivated out of the Red Delicious. It now has thick skin, a one-note sweet taste, and an often crumbly texture.<\/p>\n

Where it\u2019s grown:\u00a0Just about everywhere.<\/p>\n

Best enjoyed: Straight out of the silo. Red Delicious apples are not well regarded for baking purposes.<\/p>\n

2. McIntosh<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Beachbody<\/p>\n

This is more along the lines of what consumers think they\u2019re getting when they pick up a Red Delicious apple. McIntosh apples boast a gorgeous red hue and a luscious taste to back up their beauty.<\/p>\n

Flavor profile:<\/strong>\u00a0With soft skin and softer flesh, the McIntosh strikes a balance between sweet and acidic.<\/p>\n

Where it\u2019s grown:<\/strong> McIntosh apples now grow throughout the northeastern states, upper Great Lakes states, and in eastern Canada where they were originally discovered in the early 1800s.<\/p>\n

Best enjoyed:<\/strong> Raw as a snack, in fruit salad, or mashed into applesauce. McIntosh apples typically collapse when baked.<\/p>\n

3. Golden (or Yellow) Delicious<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Beachbody<\/p>\n

Considered an all-purpose apple, the Golden Delicious \u2014 along with the Red Delicious \u2014 is the one most commonly found in 42-pound bags sold for five dollars at the grocery store.<\/p>\n

Flavor profile:<\/strong> The meat of the apple is mild and sweet, the flesh is juicy, but taste-wise isn\u2019t all that different from a red delicious.<\/p>\n

Where it\u2019s grown:<\/strong> While it\u2019s the state fruit of West Virginia, it can be found in most apple-growing regions of the country.<\/p>\n

Best enjoyed:<\/strong> Pick your poison. It works whole, sauced, chopped into a salad, or baked into a pie.<\/p>\n

4. Gala Apples<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Beachbody<\/p>\n

This New Zealand breed has gained popularity in the recent years. It\u2019s a cross between a Kidd\u2019s Orange Red and a golden delicious (assuming you\u2019re up on apple husbandry).<\/p>\n

Flavor profile:<\/strong>\u00a0With pinkish-orange striping over a gold base, its skin is thin, concealing a crisp and juicy flesh that\u2019s fragrant and relatively sweet.<\/p>\n

Where it\u2019s grown:<\/strong> Most states besides the southernmost points of the U.S.<\/p>\n

Best enjoyed:<\/strong>\u00a0Raw, juiced, or in salads.<\/p>\n

5. Granny Smith Apples<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Beachbody<\/p>\n

Neon green and stout, Granny Smith apples are probably the most readily recognizable of all apple varieties. They\u2019re also the most common type of green apple despite having only been introduced to the U.S. market in the 1970s.<\/p>\n

Flavor profile:<\/strong> If you\u2019re into tartness, this bitter old bird is your go-to. It\u2019s crisp and has juicy flesh which sweetens with storage.<\/p>\n

Where it\u2019s grown:<\/strong> Originally cultivated in Australia, it\u2019s harvested stateside below the Mason-Dixon Line, and is available year round.<\/p>\n

Best enjoyed:<\/strong> Raw, in pies, or in salads where you can offset the tartness. Granny Smith apples work exceptionally well with nut butter.<\/p>\n

6. Fuji Apples<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Beachbody<\/p>\n

Japan first harvested Fuji apples, and they\u2019re still very popularly sold there. Fujis are a cross between two American varieties (Red Delicious and Ralls Janet).<\/p>\n

Flavor profile:<\/strong> These apples are dense, crisp, and have been regarded by some as the sweetest of all apple varieties.<\/p>\n

Where it\u2019s grown:<\/strong>\u00a0Fuji apples were introduced to the United States in the 1980s, but there are now more Fuji apples produced in America than in Japan.<\/p>\n

Best enjoyed:<\/strong> Raw, chopped into salads, or baked into a pie.<\/p>\n

7. Braeburn Apples<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Beachbody<\/p>\n

The Braeburn apple was discovered \u2014 as opposed to bred \u2014 in New Zealand in the early 1950s. Its probable parents are the Lady Hamilton and the Granny Smith.<\/p>\n

Flavor profile:<\/strong> Thin-skinned Braeburns boast textbook apple essence and balance sweet and tart flavors. They have faint notes of nutmeg and cinnamon.<\/p>\n

Where it\u2019s grown:<\/strong> Many States grow Braeburn apples, the major production areas being Washington, California, Michigan, New England, New York, Oregon, Idaho, North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia..<\/p>\n

Best enjoyed:<\/strong> Raw, but it\u2019s also known to juice very little during baking.<\/p>\n

8. Pink Lady Apples<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Beachbody<\/p>\n

Pink Lady is the brand name for the Cripps Pink variety of apple grown under a specific license that dictates a rigid sugar-to-acid ratio, among other traits. Those that don\u2019t qualify are sold as Cripps rather than as Pink Lady apples.<\/p>\n

Flavor profile:<\/strong>\u00a0A cross between the Golden Delicious and Lady Williams, the Pink Lady is firm and crunchy with a tart flavor that finishes sweetly.<\/p>\n

Where it\u2019s grown:<\/strong> In the U.S., they are primarily cultivated in Washington and California.<\/p>\n

Best enjoyed:<\/strong> Raw, in salads, baked in pies, and sliced onto cheeseboards.<\/p>\n

9. Honeycrisp Apples<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Beachbody<\/p>\n

Honeycrisp apples are the official state fruit of Minnesota. This variety of apple developed following efforts at the University of Minnesota to create \u201ccold-weather\u201d apples.<\/p>\n

Flavor profile:<\/strong> The Honeycrisp keeps things simple with a light overall flavor profile that\u2019s more sweet than tart. It\u2019s also juicy and moderately crunchy once ripened.<\/p>\n

Where it\u2019s grown:<\/strong>\u00a0The northern Great Lakes and New England.<\/p>\n

Best enjoyed:<\/strong> Hardy and versatile, Honeycrisp\u2019s taste great enjoyed straight and are up to any baking task. They\u2019re actually better for cooking a week or so after removal from cold storage.<\/p>\n

10. Empire Apples<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Introduced in \u2014 where else \u2014 New York in the 1960s, it takes a lot to bruise this cross between a Red Delicious and a McIntosh apple, despite its thin skin.<\/p>\n

Flavor profile:<\/strong>\u00a0Retaining the sweetness of the Red Delicious and the tartness of the Mac, this is a crisp, juicy everyman\u2019s apple.<\/p>\n

Where it\u2019s grown:<\/strong> In addition to New York, Empire apples are grown in many of the usual suspect states, including California, Washington, New England, Idaho, Michigan, North Carolina, Oregon, Virginia, and West Virginia.<\/p>\n

Best enjoyed:<\/strong>\u00a0Raw, cooked, and added into salads.<\/p>\n

11. Opal<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Opals are bright yellow apples that are relatively new to the market and have quickly risen to fruit fame. Their color is reminiscent of Golden Delicious, which is one of its two parents; opal apples marry the sweetness of Golden Delicious with the sharpness of Topaz.<\/p>\n

Flavor profile:<\/strong> Opal apples are well-rounded with floral notes and the right amount of tang.<\/p>\n

Where it\u2019s grown:<\/strong> First bred in the Czech Republic in 1999, the Opal apple is now grown in just one U.S. state \u2014 Washington (one grower controls the entire U.S. market). However, the Opal apple is popular and sold throughout the country.<\/p>\n

Best enjoyed:<\/strong> You can eat Opal apples raw or cooked, but perhaps the most unique selling point of this apple is that it doesn\u2019t brown quickly after slicing.<\/p>\n

12. Jazz<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

A youthful apple not unlike the Opal, Jazz was cultivated in the 1980s in New Zealand by crossbreeding a Royal Gala with a Braeburn.<\/p>\n

Flavor profile:<\/strong> Jazz apples are crisp with a taste more similar to pears. They have buttery, yellow flesh, and are super juicy.<\/p>\n

Where it\u2019s grown:<\/strong> You\u2019ll find Jazz apples licensed to grow on trees in Washington state, where they enjoy a long season from July to September.<\/p>\n

Best enjoyed:<\/strong> Renowned as a dessert apple, Jazz hold their shape well when baked and are perfect for pies, muffins, and tarts.<\/p>\n

13. Rome<\/h2>\n

\"rome<\/p>\n

Ohio enters the chat with the pride of Rome Township, a seedling discovered more than 200 years ago after the freak cross-pollination of unknown parents.<\/span><\/p>\n

Flavor profile: Once you chew through the Rome\u2019s thick skin, you find a mild flavor that\u2019s not very sweet, not very tart, not very\u2026 good? It is crunchy, though, and sweetens when cooked.<\/span><\/p>\n

Where it\u2019s grown:\u00a0Besides in its Ohio namesake, Rome apples are grown in the northern United States from coast to coast.<\/span><\/p>\n

Best enjoyed: Once known as the \u201cqueen of the baking apples,\u201d Rome apples are highly regarded for keeping their shape when cooked, making them excellent in savory dishes, pies, and ciders.<\/span><\/p>\n

14. Pi\u00f1ata<\/h2>\n

\"pinata<\/p>\n

More is merrier when it comes to the Pinata apple. Crossbreed not two but three varieties \u2014 Golden Delicious, Orange Pippin, and Duchess of Oldenburg \u2014 to create one Pi\u00f1ata apple.<\/p>\n

Flavor profile:<\/strong> Despite its Germanic origins, the pi\u00f1ata is unique for its tropical flavor, with notes of mango and pineapple. It has some tartness, but sweetness prevails. Its orange-hued skin is thin and light, a plus for those cowed by tough peels.<\/p>\n

Where it\u2019s grown:\u00a0<\/strong>Surprise, surprise \u2014 these apples grow in Washington State under strict license.<\/p>\n

Best enjoyed:<\/strong>\u00a0Given their sweetness, you won\u2019t want to add any sugar. Enjoy these apples raw, such as on a cheese plate or in a savory salad.<\/p>\n

Apple Nutrition<\/h2>\n

The difference in nutrient profiles across the various kinds of apples is minimal, so whichever you pick you can\u2019t go wrong nutritionally.<\/p>\n

Serving size:<\/strong> 1 large apple<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Calories<\/strong><\/td>\n100 cals.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fat<\/strong><\/td>\n0 g<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Protein<\/strong><\/td>\n1 g<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fiber<\/strong><\/td>\n3 g<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Carbohydrate<\/strong><\/td>\n28 g (22 g natural sugar)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fiber<\/strong><\/td>\n3 g<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vitamin C <\/strong>9 mg<\/td>\n10% DV<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"types<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summer has given way to fall, but it\u2019s not just the air that\u2019s getting crisper \u2014 it\u2019s apple season. While most types of apples are available year-round, they\u2019re typically harvested during the autumn months. There are more than 100 apple varieties grown commercially in the United States, representing a whole host of shapes, color schemes, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3304,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[89],"class_list":["post-3303","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health","tag-fall"],"blocksy_meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ozhelp.org.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3303","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ozhelp.org.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ozhelp.org.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ozhelp.org.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ozhelp.org.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3303"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ozhelp.org.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3303\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ozhelp.org.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3304"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ozhelp.org.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3303"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ozhelp.org.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3303"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ozhelp.org.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3303"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}