A Guide to Apples and How to Enjoy Them | Whole Foods Market (2024)

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Here are some favorite varieties and what to do with them based on their textures, flavors and sizes.

    A Guide to Apples and How to Enjoy Them | Whole Foods Market (1)

    There are so many different types of apples across the sweet-tart-crisp-crunchy spectrum (and at Whole Foods Market, there’s a wide selection of organic options too). But what’s the difference between, say, a Gala and a Fuji? And what apples are best for applesauce? And chips? And other perfect fall recipes? Here are some favorite varieties and what to do with them based on their textures, flavors and sizes. Because it definitely matters.

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    A Guide to Apples and How to Enjoy Them | Whole Foods Market (2)

    Gala

    Mildly sweet and juicy with a vanilla-like fragrance, this apple is an ideal addition to a berry oatmeal. Its thin skin makes it kid-friendly, and it’s also perfect for slicing and serving raw.

    View recipe: Apple-Berry Baked Oatmeal

    A Guide to Apples and How to Enjoy Them | Whole Foods Market (3)

    Honeycrisp

    If there was ever a perfect apple for snacking, this might be it. It’s fragrant, sweet and tart. Plus, its shatteringly crisp texture works well when used as a topping on open-faced sandwiches.

    View recipe: Open-Face Apple Tahini Sandwich

    A Guide to Apples and How to Enjoy Them | Whole Foods Market (4)

    Fuji

    Due to their low acidity, these ultra-sweet, crispy and juicy apples are a go-to choice for snacking and baking, as well as homemade baby food or apple butters.

    View recipe: Spiced Apple-Pear Butter

    A Guide to Apples and How to Enjoy Them | Whole Foods Market (5)

    Granny Smith

    Crunchy, tart and juicy, this is the ultimate apple to pair with a classic applesauce. Toss in a few cinnamon sticks or ground cinnamon for extra flavor.

    View recipe: Applesauce

    A Guide to Apples and How to Enjoy Them | Whole Foods Market (6)

    Red Delicious

    These apples have a crunchy skin with a floral aroma. Best when uncooked and used in fresh preparations, like a smoothie or kale salad.

    View recipe: Kale Waldorf Salad

    A Guide to Apples and How to Enjoy Them | Whole Foods Market (7)

    Lady Alice

    These all-purpose apples have floral accents with hints of tartness. They’re sweet, juicy and great for cooking because of how well they hold their shape.

    View recipe: Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon French Toast

    A Guide to Apples and How to Enjoy Them | Whole Foods Market (8)

    SweeTango

    Available only in the early fall, their crispness and sweet-tart flavor are hard to resist on their own. These apples also shine with a caramel or chocolate fondue.

    View recipe: Warm Spinach Salad with Apple and Robusto Cheese

    A Guide to Apples and How to Enjoy Them | Whole Foods Market (9)

    Opal

    Crisp and crunchy, these apples sport a pleasantly sweet flavor with nuances of banana and pear. They’re slow to brown, making them great in fresh-sliced recipes.

    View recipe: Apple Sandwiches with Granola and Peanut Butter

    A Guide to Apples and How to Enjoy Them | Whole Foods Market (10)

    Pink Lady

    These pink-red apples are crisp with a juicy flesh and a complex sweet-tart flavor. Well-suited for a fresh fall salad.

    View recipe: Carrot and Apple Bistro Salad

    Apple Selection, Storage and Prep

    Look for apples that feel firm, smooth and heavy for their size, with no bruises or wrinkling on the skin. As apples ripen, they give off ethylene gas, which shortens the storage life of some other vegetables, so keep them in a bag in your refrigerator’s crisper and remember to wash apples before eating them.

    A Guide to Apples and How to Enjoy Them | Whole Foods Market (11)

    Supplier We Love: Rainier Fruit Company

    With an operation older than their home state of Washington, the Zirkle family has seen lifetimes of change in the apple world. In the 1960s, fourth-generation grower Bill Zirkle and his father developed their small farm into a fully integrated grower, packer and shipper, and in 1974, he founded Rainier Fruit Company opens in a new tab as part of a plan to market and sell the family’s fruit. Bill’s son Mark Zirkle came into the business as the fifth generation and is the current CEO of Rainier Fruit. Today, Mark continues a tradition of innovation and future-focused approaches as multiple sixth-generation family members now come into the storyline, building on wild pollinator management and environmental footprint reduction.

    A Guide to Apples and How to Enjoy Them | Whole Foods Market (2024)

    FAQs

    What is so special about cosmic crisp apples? ›

    Classically bred and grown in Washington State, the Cosmic Crisp® apple is a cross of the Enterprise and Honeycrisp varieties. The large, juicy and red apple has a perfectly balanced flavor and firm texture, making it ideal for snacking, cooking, baking, and entertaining.

    What are the top 3 best apples? ›

    10 Most Popular Apple Types—and Which Ones Are Best for Baking and Snacking
    • 01 of 10. Granny Smith. undefined undefined / GETTY IMAGES. ...
    • 02 of 10. Golden Delicious. liaminou / GETTY IMAGES. ...
    • 03 of 10. Red Delicious. LiveFree / GETTY IMAGES. ...
    • 04 of 10. McIntosh. ...
    • 05 of 10. Honeycrisp. ...
    • 06 of 10. Gala. ...
    • 07 of 10. Pink Lady. ...
    • 08 of 10. Fuji.
    Oct 6, 2023

    Which apples are best for diabetics? ›

    Granny Smith apples tend to have the least sugar. However, fruits such as apples also contain healthy amounts of fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

    What are the healthiest apples to eat? ›

    Some, however, have unique health benefits. Red Delicious apples are the healthiest from an antioxidant standpoint, Crumble Smith says. The darker the color of the apple, the richer it'll be in antioxidants.

    Which is better, Cosmic Crisp or honeycrisp apples? ›

    In short, the greater complexity of the Cosmic Crisp made it the choice of the adults, whereas the simpler and more direct sweetness of the Honeycrisp made it a favorite of kids. A fifth member of the family had to be consulted—Elon, our two-year-old Rottweiler mix.

    Should Cosmic Crisp apples be refrigerated? ›

    Cosmic Crisp® apples are best stored in your refrigerator to maintain freshness, flavor and texture. Stored properly, they will last longer than other varieties.

    Which apple is lowest in sugar? ›

    Granny Smith apples tend to have the least sugar.

    What is the best apple to eat for weight loss? ›

    If you're looking for an apple that has been scientifically proven to help with weight loss, Granny Smith apples should become a regular part of your nutrition. Scientists know that an imbalance of colon bacteria may cause obese people to experience inflammation or lead to diabetes.

    Why are honeycrisp apples so expensive? ›

    Between the lines: Honeycrisps are an expensive apple to produce because they bruise easily and unlike most varieties, they require two hands to pick, which drives up labor costs. The intrigue: If they're expensive to produce but prices remain depressed, will growers start removing the trees from their orchards?

    Do apples raise A1C? ›

    Since apples are mostly made of carbs, they will raise your blood sugar levels. It's important to remember that blood sugar rising is normal—it happens when we eat carbs.

    Can dogs eat apples? ›

    Can dogs eat apples? Yes, apples are a fantastic addition to your dog's diet. They provide vitamin A, vitamin C and dietary fibre. They also provide a way to keep your dog's teeth clean and can help freshen their breath.

    Is apple good for high blood pressure? ›

    The top fruits for lowering blood pressure include bananas, apples, pears, apricots, grapes, raisins, kiwis, mangoes, watermelon, pomegranate, plums, prunes, avocado, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, tomatoes, citrus fruit, berries, and more.

    Are apples healthier than bananas? ›

    “If you consider the concentration of a wide array of nutrients relative to calories, the orange is the most nutritious, followed by the apple, followed by bananas,” said Dr.

    Which fruit is more nutritious than apple? ›

    While apples contain more fiber, an important nutrient that aids in healthy digestion and lowering cholesterol, oranges provide more vitamins and minerals including the ever-powerful vitamin C.

    How many apples should I eat a day? ›

    Eating 1 apple a day will keep you away from the doctor. Eating two apples a day is good for heart health. You can eat any kind of apple, as long as you eat the peel. Apple peels contain many antioxidants that help fight cancer.

    Why are Cosmic Crisp apples so expensive? ›

    “Cosmic Crisps are more expensive.” Different apple species are constantly combined to breed them for selective traits, like the ability to store them long-term and ship them across the U.S., said Evans. The premium pomme is usually a little pricier than its other apple counterparts.

    Is the cosmic crisp apple genetically modified? ›

    Thanks to the care and attention of choosing the perfect cross of Honeycrisp and Enterprise varieties, the apple is non-GMO and naturally slow to brown.

    Are cosmic crisps healthy? ›

    Cosmic Crisp® apples are proud to have earned the Good Housekeeping Nutrition Emblem, a trusted mark of health and nutrition.

    Which apple is sweeter, Cosmic Crisp or Pink Lady? ›

    There is a faint echo of a Granny Smith in the Cosmic Crisp's flavor, though it is far sweeter and crunchier. The Pink Lady tasted sharp and tart in comparison to the Cosmic Crisp, whereas the Honeycrisp's sweetness was more overwhelming.

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