Apple Basics
- Apples provide vitamin C, potassium and fiber.
- Eat the peel for more fiber.
Shop and Save
- Look for apples that are firm and do not have broken skin, bruises or soft spots.
- Apples are harvested between August and November, but are available year round. During harvest time, apples may cost less and be more crisp.
- Farmers markets and farm stands may have local varieties that you can taste before buying.
Store Well Waste Less
- Whole apples can be stored at room temperature for a few days. They can be stored in the refrigerator in a crisper drawer or open bag for up to 6 weeks.
- Apples that are starting to shrivel can be used in cooking.
- Apples tend to brown after they are peeled or cut. Browning is not harmful. To keep cut apples looking fresh for a few hours, dip the cut pieces in lemon or orange juice and refrigerate in a covered container.
- Refrigerating cut apples in a container of water also keeps them white, crisp, and ready to eat.
Some Popular Varieties of Apples
Braeburn
Sweet-tart flavor and crisp texture; good fresh or cooked
Pink Lady (Cripps Pink)
Sweet-tart flavor and firm, crisp texture; excellent fresh or cooked, very good for freezing
Granny Smith
Crunchy and tart; good fresh, cooked or frozen
Gala
Crisp and very sweet; good fresh or cooked but not recommended for freezing
Honeycrisp
Crisp, sweet and juicy; excellent fresh or cooked and can be frozen
Fuji
Crunchy and super sweet; good fresh, cooked or frozen
Golden Delicious
Crisp, sweet and mellow with a tender skin; stays white longer after cutting; excellent for all purposes
Red Delicious
Crunchy texture and mildly sweet flavor; deep red skin adds color; best used fresh
Cooking with Apples
Recipes
Microwave Applesauce
Baked Apple Chips
Quick Fix
- Mix chopped apples into hot cereal like oatmeal.
- Mix peanut butter and yogurt together for a delicious dip for apple slices.
- Add thinly sliced apples to your sandwich for a little crunch.
Tips for Freezing Apples
- Slice apples.
- To prevent browning, dip the slices in lemon or orange juice.
- Freeze the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet for 1 to 2 hours.
- Place the frozen slices into a freezer container, sealing it tightly.
To Use: Pour out the amount of frozen apples needed, then reseal the container and return it to the freezer. Use frozen apple slices within 8 months for best quality.
Kids Can!
When kids help make healthy food, they are more likely to try it. Show kids how to:
- rub apples under cool running water.
- choose apples at the store.