Apple season means many apple things – cider, donuts, pie, crisp. But today I’m focusing on the best apples for eating fresh from the orchard (or grocery store). My main criteria for judging an apple’s appeal are sweetness & crunchiness. In my opinion, nothing is better than biting into a freshly picked apple and having a big splash of its delicious juice end up on your face.
I recently took a trip to a local apple orchard. It’s one of my favorite fall activities, and something I look forward to every year. This particular orchard had an impressive variety of apples to choose from, ranging from the very popular to lesser known varieties. And in researching my favorites for this post, I learned so much about each variety’s history and the time commitment that goes into developing apples before they are ready to be introduced to consumers. Keep reading to see if any of my choices are also in your top 5 favorites!
5 Of The Best Apples For Eating Raw
Keep in mind that the best apples for eating are any variety that you will come back to over and over again. I personally like variety, so while these are five of my favorites, there are lots of other types that I will also happily munch away on if the below are not available.
1. HONEYCRISP
Their name says it all. Honeycrisp apples are honey sweet with an ever so slight tart flavor. They are crisp, juicy and all around delicious. An interesting fact: if you live in Europe, you probably know them as Honeycrunch apples.
A cross between Macoun and Honeygold, the Honeycrisp apple was first developed in the 1960s at the University of Minnesota as part of a breeding program. But these apples weren’t actually introduced to consumers until the 1990s. Since then, they have continued to gain in popularity. Today, the Honeycrisp is considered by many, including me, to be a favorite.
Although they were developed in the United States, the Honeycrisp apple is now grown in many additional countries – including Canada, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.
Harvest time is mid-September to early October.
2. FUJI
Fuji apples are large, sweet, crisp & juicy.
A cross between Red Delicious and Virginia Ralls Janet, the Fuji apple originated in Fujisaki, Japan in the 1930s as part of a breeding program. Fuji apples were first introduced to consumers in the United States in the early 1960s.
Today Fuji apples are grown in Japan, China, and the United States. An interesting fact is that they are the most grown commercial apple variety, making up about one third of all apples grown.
Harvest time is late September to early October.
3. GALA
Gala apples are sweet and juicy with a crisp bite.
A cross between Golden Delicious and Kidd’s Orange Red, the Gala apple originated in New Zealand in the 1930s. They were first introduced to consumers in 1960.
Harvest time is early September to late October.
4. PINK LADY
Pink lady apples are a delightful combination of sweet & tart. They are crisp, juicy, and have a pretty pink hue, hence the name.
An interesting fact: one of the qualities that contributes to their special look and flavor is that they are the first apples to blossom but the last variety to be harvested. This allows them to have 200 days to ripen and develop their beautiful pink color.
A cross between Golden Delicious and Lady Williams, the Pink Lady apple originated in Australia in the early 1970s. Like Honeycrisp, the Pink Lady was first introduced to consumers in the early 1990s.
Harvest time is end of October to early November.
5. OPAL
Opal apples are an interesting visual variety, with their bright yellow skin. They are sweet, crisp & juicy.
A cross between Golden Delicious and Topaz, the Opal apple is considered to be a newer variety that is native to Europe. Originating in the 1990s in the Czech Republic, opal apples were introduced to consumers in the United States in 2010. Though they have become a popular variety, in the U.S. they are still only grown at one orchard in Washington State.
Opal apples are available in the grocery store between November and June.
“An Apple A Day Keeps The Doctor Away.”
Most of us grew up hearing this saying. And the truth is that apples are not only delicious, but they are also very nutritious. Especially when you eat them with their skin on. While the nutritional values will vary slightly by variety, they are all healthy. So find your favorites to ensure you will want to eat them consistently. Here are is a brief overview of some of the impressive qualities of skin on raw apples:
FIBER
Apples are high in fiber, containing both soluble and insoluble fiber which helps with digestion and gut health.
ANTIOXIDANTS
Apples contain antioxidants, including quercetin, which can help lower inflammation in the body.
VITAMINS & MINERALS
Apples contain vitamins, including Vitamin C, which is important for aiding your body in healing. They also contain minerals, including potassium, which is essential for the body to function properly.
POLYPHENOLS
The skin of apples contain polyphenols that, when combined with the fiber, may help with lowering bad cholesterol and blood pressure levels and contribute to improved heart health.
FLAVONOIDS
These phytonutrients are what give apples their color. Flavonoids have many health benefits, including antioxidant & anti-inflammatory.
Fun Facts About Apples
- 7,500 varieties of apples are grown around the world, including 2,500 in the United States.
- Apples are part of the rose family. So are pears, cherries, peaches, and strawberries.
- The first apple tree originated in Kazakhstan, a country in central Asia.
- Apples float because they are made of 25% of air and are less dense than water.
- The rarest type of apple is called the Black Diamond (even though its skin is a deep purple). It is grown in Tibet and can only be found in Asia.
The bottom line is that apples are a delicious fruit that offer many health benefits. The best apples for eating are the ones you enjoy the most. So the next time you go to the orchard or the grocery store, try a new variety to see if it makes your list. And stock up. If you store apples in the refrigerator, they will last for quite a long time.
I’d love to hear your thoughts about apples. Do you love them as much as I do? Leave a comment with your favorite type of apple and/or some other fun facts.