What Does it Taste Like?

Apples have a sweet, tart, and sometimes floral flavor, depending on the variety and ripeness. They also have a crisp, juicy, and firm texture that makes them satisfying to bite into. Some apples are more acidic and sour, while others are more mellow and sweet. Some apples are more crunchy and dense, while others are more soft and tender. The flavor and texture of apples can also change depending on how they are stored and cooked.

Varieties we grow

Spartan Apples

Spartan Apples

Spartan apples are a cross between McIntosh and Newtown Pippin apples. They have a bright crimson skin and a white flesh that is crisp, juicy, and sweet. They are good for eating fresh, making juice, or baking. They have a distinctive wine-like flavor that develops when they are left on the tree as long as possible.

Why Should I Eat It?

Apples are rich in dietary fiber, vitamin C, antioxidants, and phytochemicals that have various health benefits. According to the USDA, one medium apple (182 grams) provides 94.6 calories, 0.43 grams of protein, 25.1 grams of carbohydrates, 4.37 grams of fiber, 18.9 grams of sugar, and 0.3 grams of fat. Apples also provide potassium, magnesium, calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin K in smaller amounts. Some of the health benefits of apples include:

  • Improving digestion and preventing constipation, thanks to their high fiber content.
  • Lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, thanks to their soluble fiber and antioxidants.
  • Protecting against oxidative stress and inflammation, thanks to their polyphenols and flavonoids.
  • Enhancing immune system function and fighting infections, thanks to their vitamin C and quercetin.
  • Supporting brain health and preventing cognitive decline, thanks to their phytochemicals and anti-inflammatory effects.

Apples

August - November

Apples are one of the most popular and versatile fruits in the world. They come in thousands of varieties, colors, shapes, and sizes, and they can be enjoyed in many different ways. Whether you like them fresh, baked, cooked, or preserved, apples are a delicious and nutritious addition to your diet.

Recommended Storage

How Do I Store It?

Short Term

Apples can last for a long time if stored properly, depending on the variety and freshness. Some of the best methods for storing apples are:

  • Refrigerating apples in the crisper drawer, away from other fruits and vegetables that may emit ethylene gas, which can speed up ripening and spoilage. Apples can last for up to six weeks in the fridge, if kept in a perforated plastic bag or a produce drawer.
  • Storing apples in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated place, such as a basement, a garage, a closet, or a cellar. Apples can last for up to several months in these conditions, if wrapped individually in newspaper or paper towels, and placed in a box, a basket, or a crate.

Long Term

  • Freezing: You can freeze apples in a freezer-safe container or a ziplock bag, after peeling, coring, and slicing them, and tossing them with lemon juice to prevent browning. Apples can last for up to a year in the freezer, and can be used for baking, cooking, or making smoothies.
  • Pickling: Pickled apples are a delightfully sweet and tangy condiment. Tp pickle, slice and cover them with a brine of vinegar, water, sugar, and spices, such as cinnamon, cloves, and allspice. Quick pickled apples can last for up to a month in the fridge, and can be eaten as a snack or a condiment.
  • Canning: Not only can you can apple slices, but you can also can apple sauce and apple pie filling. They're a high-acid food, so you can can them using the water bath method, however, you'll want to soak the slices in some lemon juice diluted in water to prevent them from browning. Apples can last for up to a year in a cool and dark place, and can be used for making pies, crisps, or sauces.
  • Dehydrating: Yum, apple chips! You can dry apples in an oven, a dehydrator, or a microwave, after peeling, coring, and slicing them, and sprinkling them with lemon juice, sugar, and cinnamon. Apples can last for up to a year in an airtight container, and can be eaten as a snack or a cereal topping.

How Do I Cook It?

  • Raw: Crisp, raw apple slices are a delightful addition to salads, sandwiches, and cheese boards. Depending on your personal preferences, you can use either sweet or tart apples.
  • Baking: You can bake apples in the oven, either whole or in pieces, with sugar, spices, nuts, raisins, or other fillings. Baked apples are a classic dessert that can be served with custard, ice cream, whipped cream, or caramel sauce.
  • Frying: You can fry apples in a skillet, either sliced or diced, with butter, sugar, cinnamon, and other spices. Fried apples are a great side dish for breakfast or brunch, or a topping for pancakes, waffles, or oatmeal.
  • Grilling: Try grilling apples on a grill or a grill pan, either whole or in wedges, with oil, honey, lemon juice, and other seasonings. Grilled apples are a wonderful accompaniment for grilled meats, such as pork, chicken, or duck, or a simple dessert with vanilla yogurt or cream cheese.
  • Poaching: Many classic desserts are made by poaching apples in a pot of simmering liquid, such as water, juice, wine, or cider, with sugar, spices, vanilla, or other flavorings. Poached apples are a delicate and elegant dessert that can be served with whipped cream, mascarpone, or chocolate sauce.
  • Sautéing: Sauté apples in a saucepan, either sliced or chopped, with butter, sugar, lemon juice, and other ingredients, such as ginger, cranberries, or nuts. Sautéed apples are a quick and easy way to make a warm and cozy topping for cakes, pies, or ice cream.
  • Stewing: Stew apples in a large pot, either peeled or unpeeled, with sugar, water, apple juice, or cider, and spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or cloves. Stewed apples are a versatile and comforting dish that can be eaten as a compote, a sauce, a jam, or a filling for pastries.

What Goes Well With It?

  • Spices: Spices add warmth, depth, and complexity to apple dishes, enhancing their natural sweetness and aroma. Apples pair especially well with as cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom, ginger, vanilla, allspice, star anise, and fennel.
  • Nuts: Nuts add crunch, richness, and nuttiness to apple dishes, creating a contrast of textures and flavors. Apples pair well with a wide variety of nuts, such as almonds, walnuts, pecans, pistachios, hazelnuts, and chestnuts.
  • Cheese: Cheese adds creaminess, saltiness, and tanginess to apple dishes, balancing their acidity and sweetness. Trying pairing apples with cheeses like as cheddar, brie, gouda, goat cheese, cream cheese, and mascarpone.
  • Caramel: Caramel apples are a classic for a reason! Caramel adds a smooth, sticky, and decadent touch to apple dishes, creating a classic and irresistible combination.
  • Other fruits: Other fruits add color, freshness, and variety to apple dishes, creating a harmony or a contrast of flavors. They go especially well with apricots, bananas, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, cranberries, figs, grapes, lemons, limes, oranges, pears, plums, raspberries, and strawberries.
  • Pork: Pork adds a tender, juicy, and savory touch to apple dishes, creating a classic and delicious combination. Pork and apples go well together because they both have a mild sweetness and a complementary texture.
  • Fennel: Fennel adds a crunchy, fresh, and aromatic touch to apple dishes, creating a light and refreshing combination. Fennel and apples go well together because they both have a crisp and slightly sweet flavor and a similar shape and size.
  • Rum: Rum adds a boozy, sweet, and spicy touch to apple dishes, creating a festive and indulgent combination. Rum and apples go well together because they both have a caramel-like flavor and a warming effect.
  • Cream: Cream, as well as custards, adds a smooth, rich, and creamy touch to apple dishes, creating a decadent and satisfying combination. Cream and apples go well together because they both have a smooth and velvety texture and a contrast of acidity and sweetness.
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