Apples

Apples can be divided into two types - eating and cooking. The best eating apples are those that have a mellow flavour and firm, juicy texture and retain some of their acidity in their final sweetness. Cooking apples should have plenty of acid, essential to the flavour of apple pies, tarts and crumbles. They should also hold their shape while cooking, especially when making pies and flans.

There are many different types of cooking and eating apples available throughout the year depending on the variety. Some of the most popular include:

Bramley

Appearance
Extra large, irregular, green, sometimes flushed with red
Flesh Characteristics
Crisp, juicy acid
Uses
Cooking, especially stewing, puréeing and baking

Cox's Orange Pippin

Appearance
Small, round, greenish-yellow tinged with red russeting
Flesh Characteristics
Crisp, juicy, firm, sweet, some acidity
Uses
All-purpose, although best for eating

Crispin

Appearance
Medium to large, round, yellow-green
Flesh Characteristics
Crisp, juicy, mild but slightly acid
Uses
Eating

Egremont Russet

Appearance
Medium, round, with brown- orange russeting
Flesh Characteristics
Soft, very sweet, some acidity
Uses
All-purpose

Empire

Appearance
Medium, round, dark red
Flesh Characteristics
Crisp, juicy, slightly tart
Uses
All-purpose, but particularly good for baking or eating

Golden Delicious

Appearance
Large, conical, green ripening to yellow
Flesh Characteristics
Tender, very sweet, no acidity when ripe
Uses
All-purpose, but particularly good for baking, making pies or eating

Granny Smith

Appearance
Medium to large, conical, green with small whitish flecks
Flesh Characteristics
Crisp, juicy, mild but acid
Uses
All-purpose, but particularly good for baking, making pies or eating

Laxton's Superb

Appearance
Medium, round, greenish- yellow, flushed with red
Flesh Characteristics
Juicy, firm, sweet, some acidity
Uses
All-purpose

McIntosh

Appearance
Medium, round, firm, two-tone red and green to red
Flesh Characteristics
Crisp, juicy, slightly tart
Uses
Eating or for making applesauce; not suitable for baking or making pies

Orleans Reinette

Appearance
Small, flat, golden tinged with crimson russeting
Flesh Characteristics
Crisp, juicy, firm, some acidity
Uses
All-purpose

Red Delicious

Appearance
Large, elongated, thick skinned, shiny red
Flesh Characteristics
Juicy, very tender, no acidity
Uses
Eating; they are not suitable for baking or making pies

Rome Beauty

Appearance
Large, round, thick skinned, shiny red
Flesh Characteristics
Crisp, firm, juicy, slightly tart
Uses
Baking whole, making applesauce or eating; they don't work well in pies