Different Types of Apples

The apple is one of the oldest fruits in the world. The apple belongs to the family Rosaceae and class Magnoliopsida. Apples originated in Kazakhstan, Central Asia and even today the ancestor of all the modern hybrid apples grows here. In Kazakhstan, apple is known as alma because the region where the apples originated is known as ata-alma, which means "father of all apples". The term "apple" is derived from an old English word "aeppel".

Apples have been around for thousands of years. Apple is mentioned in many religious texts including the Bible and also in most of the myth creation stories of the ancient world. Apples are associated with temptation, wisdom, fertility, health, luck, beauty and love.

In 1620, the English pilgrims introduced apples to the United States. In 1741, the apples were commercially exported to the West Indies from the United States. Today, there are over 7000 varieties of apples grown worldwide. Gaius Plinius Secundus, known as Pliny the Elder, a Roman naturalist had listed over thirty-six varieties of apples in the first century AD.

Eighty percent of the people around the world consume apples. It is one of the most popular fruits enjoyed as a dessert or a snack by the young and the old. Here we look at some of the most popular types of apples.

Types of Apples

Arkansas Black - Arkansas Black apples are mostly used for cooking. It is used as one of the ingredients in sauerkraut recipes. This variety of apple has a firm texture and a sour taste.

Braeburn - This variety of apple is available anytime between October and July. The skin color of a Braeburn apple is reddish-orange with shades of yellow. This variety is usually used for making salad, applesauce, and pies. These apples can be frozen for later consumption.

Cameo - Though the Cameo apples are harvested in the month of September, it is available in the market only between October and August. This variety is identified by the white spots on the red skin. Cameo apples are used in various desserts such as apple crumble or apple crisp and many more. It is also used to make salads, sauces and pies. Cameo apples can be frozen.

Cortland - Cortland apples are available almost throughout the year. The only time it is not available in the market is during the months of January, March and April. This variety of apple is sweet and the skin color is red spread over a yellowish-green skin. It is used for baking and freezing. It would make a good snack after a meal.

Empire - Empire apples are available throughout the year. It is has a sweet and a sour taste. The skin color of this apple is a combination of red and green. You can freeze this variety of apples for future consumption.

Fuji - Fuji apples have reddish-pink skin. This variety belongs to Japan and was introduced in the US in the 1980s. This variety makes a good snack after a heavy meal. It tastes good in salads, pies and sauces. Fuji apples have longer shelf life without refrigeration. This is available from August to October.

Gala - This variety of apples is available from September to May. Though it is not good for freezing, it can be used for baking and apple pies. Gala apples have pinkish stripes on yellow skin. This variety of apples is very sweet.

Ginger Gold - This variety of apples have a sweet-sour taste. Ginger Gold apples are available from August to November. Apple pies and sauces could be made from this variety. However, it is not good for freezing. The skin color of a Ginger Gold apple is yellow.

Golden Delicious - As the name suggests, this variety is not only sweet and delicious but also golden yellow in color. It is used to make jams, salads, pies and sweet sauces. Golden Delicious apples are good for freezing too. This variety is available throughout the year.

Granny Smith - The skin color of this apple is green and it is very sour. It is available throughout the year. It can be frozen for later consumption. You can make pies and sauces with this variety.

Honeycrisp - This is a new variety of apples, which was introduced in the early '90s. The skin color of a Honeycrisp apple is a combination of red and yellow. It is used for baking and making salads and sauce. It does not taste good in pies. This variety can be frozen.

Idared - Idared apples are available through out the year. The skin color of an Idared apple is pink. This variety has a sweet and sour taste. Idared apples can be used for baking and freezing. It is used for making pies and sauces.

Jonagold - Jonagold apples are a hybrid variety of the Jonathan and the Golden Delicious apple. This variety is mostly used for making sweet-sour sauces, pies and salads. You can freeze Jonagold apples for future consumption. Jonagold apples are available between October and May.

Jonathan - This variety has a shade of red and green skin color, and the taste is sour. Jonathan apples can be frozen. It is widely used in salads and sauces.

McIntosh - This variety of apple makes an excellent snack. You can make pies and sauces with McIntosh apples. However, these are not good for baking or freezing. The skin color of this apple is a blend of red and green. It tastes sweet with a tinge of sourness.

Red Delicious - The skin color of this variety of apple is red and it has a very sweet taste. This apple is good for making jams and would make a good dessert after a heavy meal. These apples are available in the market throughout the year.

Rome Beauty - This variety of apples are commonly used in baking. The skin color of this apple is crimson red and it is mildly sour. It is mostly used in salads and pies. It can be frozen too.

Winesap - Winesap apples are not good to eat raw and mostly used for making apple cider. This variety of apples is sour and has the flavor of a seasoned wine. The skin color of this apple is deep red.

Do you know an apple tree can live for more than hundred years? There are many interesting facts about apples, which include the nutritional and health benefits. Apples are used in a number of food recipes including sauces, pies and cider.