Which Apple Variety Should I Be Eating?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the various types of apples and personal preferences regarding their taste and texture. Participants share their experiences with different apple varieties, expressing opinions on which are the best and discussing their characteristics. The conversation includes subjective tastes, recommendations, and comparisons among several apple types.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express a newfound appreciation for apples, noting the variety beyond common perceptions of them as boring.
  • Several participants mention specific apple varieties they enjoy, such as Fuji, Jonathan, Macintosh, Matsu, Jonagold, Gala, Winesap, and Empire apples.
  • There are mixed opinions on the texture and taste of Red Delicious apples, with some preferring them while others find them too soft.
  • Participants discuss the tartness of Granny Smith apples, with some enjoying them for baking but finding them too tart for eating raw.
  • One participant mentions a preference for a crunchy apple, while another favors a crisp, snappy tart apple like Braeburn.
  • Some participants highlight the importance of freshness, noting that apples lose character when stored for too long.
  • There is a mention of the aesthetic appeal of Pink Lady apples, with one participant emphasizing their beauty and taste.
  • Others express a preference for pears over apples, indicating a variety of fruit preferences among participants.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally share their individual preferences without reaching a consensus on the best apple variety. Multiple competing views on the desirability of different apple types remain evident throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention the availability of certain apple varieties in their regions, indicating that access may influence preferences. The discussion also reflects seasonal considerations, as some apples are noted to ripen at different times.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in fruit varieties, particularly apples, and those seeking personal recommendations based on taste preferences may find this discussion valuable.

Rach3
(apple with lowercase 'a' that is)

I've suddenly realized I've wasted much of my life not eating apples (I've been a banana person). I always thought apples were a homogenous, boring species - it never occurred to me how much variety there is in this humble fruit. Most apple tastes are still unknown to me: I've tried the green ones (sour and ill-tempered), the Fuji ones (delicious, slightly sweet), the Roma ones (tastes like cardboard), and the yellow ones (neutral). There are still a dozen more at the local grocery. Which ones are the best? Opinionated responses are welcome!

(and yes, I'm aware that it's only mid-July)
 
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Rach3 said:
(apple with lowercase 'a' that is)

I've suddenly realized I've wasted much of my life not eating apples (I've been a banana person). I always thought apples were a homogenous, boring species - it never occurred to me how much variety there is in this humble fruit. Most apple tastes are still unknown to me: I've tried the green ones (sour and ill-tempered), the Fuji ones (delicious, slightly sweet), the Roma ones (tastes like cardboard), and the yellow ones (neutral). There are still a dozen more at the local grocery. Which ones are the best? Opinionated responses are welcome!

(and yes, I'm aware that it's only mid-July)

Here you go Rach

http://www.fruitwise.net/menu.html

I prefer a tart apple with crunch.
 
I like the Fuji, Jonathan, and Macintosh apples. I don't like the really tart ones, except for making pies, then they're wonderful (or mix some of the tart and sweet varieties for a nice blend of flavors).
 
I don't know how easy they are to find (can't get them here), but a friend of mine developed a really nice one called the Matsu. It's yellow, about the size of a canteloupe, with a taste somewhat like a Golden Delicious combined with a Mac. One apple is enough to make a decent pie.
 
Danger said:
I don't know how easy they are to find (can't get them here), but a friend of mine developed a really nice one called the Matsu. It's yellow, about the size of a canteloupe, with a taste somewhat like a Golden Delicious combined with a Mac. One apple is enough to make a decent pie.

One of our local "pick your own growers" has Mutsu. It was one of my favorites between Jonagold and Gala. They(Mutsu) are rather large apples aren't they. Winesap is another crunchy with a little bit of tartness. I think it ripens late in the season though.
 
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You know, it's only mid july :rolleyes:

Personally, I prefer using a Dell.
 
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The only kind I prefer is a great big crunchy Red Delicious.

They're the ones that are of a size, shape and colour closer to a sweet red pepper than an apple.
 
larkspur said:
One of our local "pick your own growers" has Matsu. It was one of my favorites between Jonagold and Gala. They(Matsu) are rather large apples aren't they. Winesap is another crunchy with a little bit of tartness. I think it ripens late in the season though.
Oh, yes, Jonagold and Gala are good too! :approve: I don't think I've ever had a winesap. They must not be grown locally enough to appear in our stores.

I've never heard of a Matsu. I'll have to keep an eye out in case they appear somewhere and I don't recognize them as an apple. :biggrin:

Dave, I like a crispy red delicious too, very sweet. But, I rarely can find crispy ones. Either they are stored too long before getting to the stores, or they don't survive transportation very well, because they just don't seem to have much crispness when I find them. Golden delicious is good too. Not quite as sweet as the red delicious, but usually crisper.

Oh, okay, I admit it, I like pretty much every kind of apple I've tried except Granny Smith. Those are the really tart, green ones. They're just too tart for me, but make good pies.
 
Moonbear said:
. . . Granny Smith. Those are the really tart, green ones. They're just too tart for me, but make good pies.
Or baked apples. Take the core out and fill with mincemeat, or raisin, sultanas, currants and spices. Then bake. :-p

BTW, mincemeat pies are great! :-p
 
  • #10
Granny Apples(green ones). Red Delicious.
But i prefer Pears...especially the chinese one.
 
  • #11
My favorite are Empire Apples. They are crunchy, sweet and somehow always feel cool when you bite into them, even after they've been sitting in my bag lunch all morning
 
  • #12
Japanese apple-pear (or pear-apple, I forget). Best when chilled.
 
  • #13
http://www.reneauranch.com/html/apple_guide.html"
 
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  • #14
larkspur said:
One of our local "pick your own growers" has Mutsu. It was one of my favorites between Jonagold and Gala. They(Mutsu) are rather large apples aren't they. Winesap is another crunchy with a little bit of tartness. I think it ripens late in the season though.
Pick-your-own mutsu apples are on my short list of reasons to live. There is a singularly outstanding orchard/farm we go to every year (several times per year) where they have over a dozen different kinds of apples, plus peaches and nectarines and pears... arggh! When will Summer be over!
 
  • #15
I don't like delicious apples. They are too soft. I like a crisp snappy tart apple. The one I've had the best luck with lately is Braburn. Not sure on the spelling.
 
  • #16
I usually buy Mac's or another one that I can't remember off hand, but I'm really not much of an apple fan. The best fruit in the world by far are saskatoons and nectarines...I could live off those.
 
  • #17
Regarding apples, I prefer Golden Delicious.
 
  • #18
I used to like Gala apples the best when I still lived in southern California, but since moving up to the northern wine-growing region of the state, I've been introduced to the Pink Lady, and let me tell you, there is nothing better. Not only do they taste terrific and maintain a wonderful crunch, but they are among the most beautiful fruits you'll ever see. I realize that doesn't much matter, but people actually comment on how bright and delicious-looking the apples are when I eat them in public.
 
  • #19
Rach3 said:
(apple with lowercase 'a' that is)

I've suddenly realized I've wasted much of my life not eating apples (I've been a banana person). I always thought apples were a homogenous, boring species - it never occurred to me how much variety there is in this humble fruit. Most apple tastes are still unknown to me: I've tried the green ones (sour and ill-tempered), the Fuji ones (delicious, slightly sweet), the Roma ones (tastes like cardboard), and the yellow ones (neutral). There are still a dozen more at the local grocery. Which ones are the best? Opinionated responses are welcome!

(and yes, I'm aware that it's only mid-July)

royal gala & jonagold apples are definitely the best. i can't stand the softer ones like macintosh, etc
 
  • #20
Rach3 said:
(apple with lowercase 'a' that is)
...Most apple tastes are still unknown to me: I've tried the green ones (sour and ill-tempered), the Fuji ones (delicious, slightly sweet), the Roma ones (tastes like cardboard), and the yellow ones (neutral). There are still a dozen more at the local grocery. Which ones are the best? Opinionated responses are welcome!

(and yes, I'm aware that it's only mid-July)
Gala is my favorite, especially if they've just been picked. They lose a lot of character in cold storage, but they are wonderful fresh.