Hellooooooo, September! It is apple time!
Isn't it funny how our bodies seem to know what produce is in season? Apples look boring and unappealing all spring and summer, but the second the light starts changing and the temperature drops even 5 degrees, apples seem crisp, fresh, and inviting.
Your favorite apples for eating might not be the best ones for baking. Let's discuss.
What are the Best Types of Apples for Baking?
According to
USApple, the United State's apple production will be up 2.7% this
season, with 255 million bushels.
How many apples are in a bushel? Yeah, I had to look that up, too.
There are approximately 125 medium apples per bushel, bringing this year's production to about 31,875,000,000. That's a lotta apples.
For baking, you want an apple that will hold its shape and not turn to mush.
The best baking apples are:
- Granny Smith*
- Honeycrisp*
- Pink Lady (or Cripps Pinks)*
- Golden Delicious
- Jazz
- Kanzi
- Sweetango
- Braeburn
- Northern Spy
*When I'm baking with apples, I usually reach for these three. Granny Smith
are the most tart of the group and Honeycrisp the sweetest of the three. Pink Lady falls in
the middle of this trio.
Some of our favorite apple recipes include:
What are the best apples for making applesauce?
Applesauce
is a bit different than pie baking because you want the apples to break down.
That said, I still prefer a mix of tart and sweet when making
applesauce.
While you don't have to worry much about apple types for applesauce, DO
include some Granny Smiths to add tartness. I usually also add Honeycrisp,
Pink Lady, and some sweet varieties.
Even if your apples don't break completely down in the cooking,
an immersion blender
will take care of that lickety-split!
Here's my very favorite applesauce recipe:
Easy Slow Cooker Applesauce
(Here's a link to this
fabulous apple corer/peeler. It is SO FUN!)
What's the best-selling apple?
Shockingly to me, Gala apples are predicted to be the best seller again this
season. Red Delicious is also in the top 5...I'm sorry, but blech! (Source:
USApple) Honeycrisp and Pink Lady/Cripps Pink are on the rise, though. I
approve!
Alright, y'all. I think
applesauce
and those
caramel apple bars
are on the menu here this week. Hooray for apples!