All About Apples

Which apples make for the sweetest pies or the smoothest sauces?

Crisp fall days always put us in mind of the sweet-yet-tart crunch of a fresh-picked apple. At Citarella, we take our apples seriously, working with the country’s best growers to offer a wide, colorful bounty of apples--all ripe and ready for your favorite fall pies, tarts, applesauce, and tea cakes. If you love the bright, juicy flavor of fresh-picked apples, you’ll love our seasonal selection. So, what can you make with apples?

"While we enjoy all apples equally, different varieties have different uses in the kitchen — depending on their flavor and texture."

If you’ve ever wondered "what apples should I use for apple pie?", here’s a handy guide to help you choose the perfect apple for all your favorite fall dishes.

MCINTOSH RED
The McIntosh apples in our markets are sourced from local orchards, but these crimson beauties originated further north: on a patch of farmland in northern Canada. Discovered by John McIntosh more than 200 years ago, the farmer’s namesake fruit remains one of the most popular varieties in the world today. The soft texture and juicy, sweet flavor makes McIntosh apples perfect for applesauce, which can be used as a natural sweetener in many recipes — and even as a substitute for oil or butter.

FUJI
A famous hybrid, Fuji apples are a cross between two sweet varieties: Red Delicious and the Ralls Janet. With the highest sugar level of all the popular types of apple, Fujis will satisfy any sweet tooth. Their firmness also makes them ideal for baking in dishes where texture matters, like strudels and tarts, since they hold their shape beautifully, even when cooked.

MACOUN
Another local find in our markets during the crisp, cool fall months, the Macoun apple began as a delicious experiment in New York. When W.T. Macoun, a horticulturist at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, cross-bred McIntosh and Black Jersey apples. The result was a very juicy apple with a sweet, aromatic flavor. Great for snacking or as a complement to sharp, nutty cheeses, like Parmigiano Reggiano or Stilton.

GRANNY SMITH
Typically used as source of tartness in apple pies, the Granny Smith apple originated in the suburb of Ryde, in Sydney, Australia when Maria Ann Smith first grew her signature apples from a seedling she discovered on her property. Now, Granny Smiths are grown all over the world, and while they’re primarily used for baking, Granny Smith apples their have a firm texture and almost lemony flavor, making them ideal for savory dishes, like beet and walnut salad topped with blue cheese.

PINK LADY
A cross between the Golden Delicious and Lady Williams apples, Pink Ladies are trademarked, which means they must meet a rigorous set of standards before earning their name. Naturally firm and tart, they’re perfect for savory cooking and an excellent companion for pork or chicken. And because raw Pink Ladies resist browning after being sliced, they also make a wonderful addition to dips, like salsa.

HONEYCRISP
Our largest and most popular apple, Honeycrisps are relative newcomers to the apple scene. Developed in the 1960s by crossing Macoun and Honeygold, their crisp texture and sweet, yet tart flavor makes them magnificent in sandwiches and salads, and they make delicious homemade apple chips.

RED DELICIOUS
Perhaps the most iconic American apple, the Red Delicious variety was discovered by a farmer in Iowa in 1875. Their ruby color is not just a pretty addition to a fall table scape, it’s also an indicator that the apple is high in antioxidants and perfect for juicing, smoothies, and cider.

Feeling inspired by all the delicious possibilities? So is our Master Pastry Chef, Carolina. Each fall, Carolina fills our pastry cases with a sweet selection of the best apple desserts (like apple tarts, apple strudel, and our seasonal sour cream apple pie) using the same fresh-picked fruit we sell in our markets. Treat yourself to the nostalgic flavors of a lovingly handcrafted fall dessert even when you don’t have time to whip one up yourself. Pick one up at your nearest Citarella Gourmet Market today.