Apple Basics

Apple Basics

Apples provide vitamin C, potassium and fiber. Eat the peel for more fiber.

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• 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 often have local varieties you can sample before buying.

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. 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.

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.
• Use slightly shriveled apples in cooking — they’re still great for sauces or baking.
• 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.

Enjoy Apples

Microwave Applesauce

Baked Apple Chips

How to Freeze Apples

1. Slice apples.
2. Dip slices in lemon or orange juice to prevent browning.
3. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for 1 to 2 hours.
4. Transfer frozen slices to an airtight freezer container.
5. Use within 8 months for best quality.

Frozen apple slices work great in Microwave Applesauce!

Quick Fix

• Mix chopped apples into hot cereal like oatmeal.
• Add thinly sliced apples to your sandwich for a little crunch.
• Mix peanut butter and yogurt together for a delicious dip for apple slices.

Kids Can!

When kids help make healthy food, they are more likely to try it. Show kids how to:

• rinse apples under cool running water.
• choose apples at the store.