Apples have been among the most popular fruits since ancient times. With such a wide variety and abundance, these delicious fruits have made their mark in the culinary world. Whether they are a mid-afternoon snack, or a in a classic pie, apples are beloved by Americans. Most people, however, don’t realize just how diverse the world of apples is. Californians may have different species than Floridians. Texans may have different species of the fruit than Georgians. Where specific types of apples grow and what they are used for is important to know for apple lovers. How well do you know your apples?

Have you ever been in a grocery store and browsed the produce section completely unsure which apples to buy? Crisp, soft, sweet, sour, large, small, green, red, SO MANY OPTIONS! Have no fear! There are a few varieties of apples that are usually reliable for a specific texture and flavor, no matter where in the country you live. Honeycrisps are notably sweet and firm. They grow well in almost all regions of the US except for the southernmost states. If you are looking for tartness, Granny Smith apples are the way to go. For a very crisp apple, the Macoun fruit is a good option. There are a few types of apples that are suitable for baking, and a bit softer, such as Northern Spy, Liberty, and Golden Delicious. Another excellent apple for cooking is the McIntosh. Its skin easily breaks down while cooking, and its flesh is tender, so it works well in chutneys, sauces, and pies.

Some apples are abundant only in specific regions of the US. For example, the Arkansas Black is an apple commonly seen in the state of Arkansas. They’re among the darkest of apples, with skin that is a deep red when ripe. These apples can last up to 6 months, and have a wonderful, tart flavor. Another example is the Cameo, which comes from Washington state. It’s best eaten fresh off the tree, and tastes crisp and pear-like. They are best purchased in October and August. For New Yorkers, The Cortland apple has been a long-time favorite. This breed is yellow in color with red and green streaks. It is often used in salads and desserts because its flesh doesn’t brown as easily as most apples. It isn’t the best type of apple for storage, however, because it loses its juiciness overtime. Another New York apple is the Jonagold. The Jonagold is rather large with a red blush color over a yellow or green base. They are sweet and tangy because of their skin, and are often used for pies and salads. They are best to eat from October to May. Not too far away from New York, in Ohio, came the Rome Beauty apple. They’re a glossy dark-red color, with thick skin. They are mild, and aren’t sweet, so they must be baked to develop their flavor. You can find them in the market during late September.

At Rebel Seed the apples and juice we use are sourced locally and regionally to create or hard cider.  We work with orchardists in Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, and since we do not use any concentrate or unnatural ingredients, we rely on the apples to give us quality juice. The types of apples we have used include Stayman, Gold Rush, Idared, Black Twig, and small amounts of  Braeburn, Enterprise, Fuji, and Pink Lady. All of these varieties, except for Black Twig, are dessert or culinary apples. They differ in their sugar content, when ripe, and their acidity.  For example, Gold Rush has become a favorite variety with excellent balance between sugars, flavors, and acid.  The Stayman variety adds an aroma boost to our blends.  Black Twig, although limited in access, offers structure that is often lacking in the other varieties we utilize. It is essential that we use the different types of apples correctly, and that every taste and flavor is captured to create a quality cider.

The world of apples is very diverse, and their uses and purposes are even more vast. To find the most in-season fruit, visit your local farmers market. If you have an orchard near you, you can even pick them yourself! We hope this blog helped you with your apple questions, and to reaffirm that with Rebel Seed, only the best fruit comes your way! Make sure to ask us about our cider next time you come in for a tasting!