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Favorite Apples (Question #70)

September 17, 2010 by Laura 70 Comments

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It’s apple season and I LOVE it. I’d been holding back on buying apples both because there were no organic apples available and the regular ones at the store were a crazy high price. I was feeling quite apple deprived, especially since I had bought the wonderful treat of Gjetost cheese and I NEEDED apples to go with it.

Finally a friend of mine called to say that the apples in her orchard were ready to be picked! I grabbed my bags and ran to her house (okay, I drove) and started picking. She sliced some samples for me to try and I’m pretty sure there were tears of apple joy running down my face. Mmm, they were so good. I was most excited because Gala apples are my favorite, and her Gala tree was the tree ready to be picked! I brought home loads (for only $0.75/pound!!!!). We’ve been eating apples to our hearts content. LOVE GALA APPLES!!!

A few days later, I was able to go pick more apples (red delicious, I believe) from another friend’s tree. She didn’t charge me a thing…in fact she gave us TWO jars of jelly as a THANK YOU for taking the apples off her hands. Um, you’re welcome?

THEN, we got another phone call and went and picked apples for free again. There are so many apples in my house, we are tripping over them. 

I love tripping over apples. Seriously. Apple season is awesome!!

I’ve shared some bags with others…and I’ve used my dehydrator to make apple rings…

I am now in the process of working through all the bags and making applesauce. I’m hoping this weekend to can a bunch of apple pie filling. If I get that done, I’ll be sure to share pictures and a recipe!!

My question for you today is…what is your favorite variety of apple? My favorite is by far Gala…but Pink Lady and Honey Crisp are also nice. Then of course there’s Yellow Delicious and Empire…

It’s a little hard to decide! What’s your pick?

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Filed Under: Questions for You Tagged With: apples, applesauce, dried apples, empire, fall, gala

Comments

  1. Carrie says

    September 17, 2010 at 8:23 pm

    My favorite variety is whatever I can get for free from friends. :)

    But, if I have to buy them I love Honey Crist, Gala and Fugi.

    Thanks for posting your how to make applesauce post a while back. I visited my mother-in-law and we picked all her apples and canned quite a lot of applesauce to enjoy this winter.

    Reply
  2. Erin H. says

    September 17, 2010 at 8:30 pm

    My favorites traditionally have been Gala, Honey Crisps, and Pink Ladies. Most recently I have found Jazz. They are a cross between a Gala and a Braeburn and did I mention, absolutely divine?

    Reply
  3. Sarah Falk says

    September 17, 2010 at 8:49 pm

    Have you made apple juice?? I’m tired of paying for organic apple juice and thinking about making it myself! Any tips? And, anyone, any good sources for apples (ie cheap or free??) in the Dallas area??

    Reply
    • Laura says

      September 19, 2010 at 3:18 pm

      No, I’ve made apple cider with a borrowed cider press, but never juice.

      Reply
  4. Monika says

    September 17, 2010 at 8:55 pm

    My faves are granny smith, pink lady and then gala. I haven’t bought apples either, I couldn’t find any organic at reasonable prices so I had to forego the apple…I was waiting on this season too.

    Reply
  5. Ashley says

    September 17, 2010 at 9:05 pm

    I’ve had fantastic Jonagold, Fuji, Golden Delicious, and Granny Smith, but in my opinion, Honeycrisps are the King of apples, and Pink Lady is the Queen. :D Juuuust getting apples here, so yesterday my splurge was some expensive Honeycrisp apples because I haven’t had them in ages. Yum!

    Reply
  6. maria says

    September 17, 2010 at 9:08 pm

    It is apple season here too! I am going to pick up 1/2 a bushel tomorrow in fact :)

    My favorite are gala and granny smith…excellent pie fruit :)

    Blessings,

    Maria

    Reply
  7. Hayley says

    September 17, 2010 at 9:18 pm

    I’m going to be making several apple pies next week, and then freeze a couple for Thanksgiving Dinner. I just heart FALL so much!

    Reply
  8. Katherine says

    September 17, 2010 at 9:25 pm

    I love fall too!!! Rainy evenings (Washington State), Hot apple cider, pumpkin pie, and my favorite apples-Granny Smith and Gravenstein (we had this type in our yard growing up). When we were growing up, we couldn’t wait for the apples to ripen, so we would eat them green off the tree. They were so tart, and we would get pretty sick to our stomach after eating a bunch. Ah, but such good memories! I made your applesauce bread tonight and hot tea. We loved it-so light and perfect! Thank you!

    Reply
  9. Jen says

    September 17, 2010 at 9:38 pm

    Pink Lady is BY FAR the best apple in the world. so crunchy and juicy. i love it! i was also feeling apple deprived lately. with others around me making apple pie and apple crisp and apple jelly and apple… everything. i finally settled with paying almost $2 a pound just get a few. you are so blessed to have not only 1, but 3 friends who are willing to share their homegrown apples with you :)

    Reply
  10. Laura says

    September 17, 2010 at 10:00 pm

    You are my apple twin =) those three are my favorites, too. We are going to an orchard next week and I’m excited!

    Reply
  11. Shannon says

    September 17, 2010 at 10:51 pm

    My favorite from the store is Pink Lady, sometimes Honey Crisp. But the BEST are the Fugi from our local orchard. Huge, Crisp, and best of all 39 cents per pound u pick! Our orchard has apples available from August through December for this price!

    Reply
  12. Yvonna says

    September 18, 2010 at 2:39 am

    MY APPLE tree is ready to be picked too, I’m in Missouri so I’ll keep mine:D I make regular applesauce and cinnamon applesauce. I bagged my apple slices before but thought I would try canning this time and guess what…Someone just mentioned a recipe and canning know how!!! Please…Pretty Apple Please post when you have time. Yes, I said it I’m 40ish and I have never canned before and also would love to make apple jelly and apple butter but was told ….its to hard just buy it. I love learning to do things and I get thank you’s and yummy, yummy comments. Blessing’s

    Reply
  13. Amy Lynne says

    September 18, 2010 at 4:50 am

    We are Granny Smith folks around here. We all have a thing for sour especially if a little caramel can be brought into the mix! We don’t juice those though, red delicious is our juicing apple.

    Reply
  14. Teresa says

    September 18, 2010 at 5:17 am

    I used to say Golden Delicious, but right now the Galas are in season and fresh and amazing. So right now I say Gala!

    Reply
  15. Jen @ Happy Little Homemaker says

    September 18, 2010 at 5:24 am

    Galas & FUijs at our house!

    Reply
  16. Katherine says

    September 18, 2010 at 5:29 am

    My dad loves Gala. My husband loves Pink Ladies. I love Red Delicious. They always think I’m a little funny buying so many different kinds of apples.

    Reply
  17. Holly T. says

    September 18, 2010 at 5:48 am

    Oh, I’m so jealous of your apple abundance! I cannot believe the price of organic apples in the store.
    Being a Minnesota girl, my definite fave is the HoneyCrisp (it originated at the U of MN.) :-)

    Reply
  18. Carolina Mama says

    September 18, 2010 at 5:58 am

    Honey Crisp for eating and Granny Smith for pies.:-)

    Reply
  19. Melissa says

    September 18, 2010 at 5:59 am

    I can’t believe no one said Mcintosh yet! They are my favorite by far. I have a big box and I am in heaven.

    Reply
    • Crystal says

      September 18, 2010 at 2:16 pm

      I was thinking the same thing as I read through the comments!

      Reply
  20. Busy Mama says

    September 18, 2010 at 5:59 am

    Nothing beats a crisp, white-fleshed Cortland! We had a tree in our yard when I was growing up, and now we’ve moved to the south and they simply aren’t available. We have had relatives mail them to us (those are expensive apples!) a few times just to satisfy our cravings. Don’t you just love family?

    Reply
  21. SarahMay says

    September 18, 2010 at 6:09 am

    Honeycrisp all the way! Will settle for Gala or Pink Lady if I have to… otherwise, I like Granny Smith for the tartness.

    Reply
  22. Sally says

    September 18, 2010 at 6:13 am

    Fuji are my favs…and then honey crisp and gala if that’s all that is around. Not a big fan of red delicious, but they’re so cheap that I’ll get them when I’m in a pinch.

    Reply
  23. Laurie Plath says

    September 18, 2010 at 6:43 am

    Has anyone tried Anna or Dorsett Golden apples? I want to plant a couple trees and those are two good ones for in the south.

    Reply
  24. Laura J. says

    September 18, 2010 at 7:49 am

    I discovered pink lady apples this year and I love them! Honey crisps are great too but they’re more expensive where I live and I can’t usually justify the cost.

    Reply
  25. Ruthie says

    September 18, 2010 at 7:59 am

    I love Jonathan apples. If you live anywhere near Pueblo, CO there is a great orchard nearby where the u-pick apples (lots of varieties) are $.55 a pound and nearly organic. No spray, just fertilizer. Look up Lusk Farm in Fowler, CO.

    Reply
  26. Kris Mays says

    September 18, 2010 at 8:09 am

    My absolute favorite for eating is Fuji -my kids, too. The love ’em. I, too, am waiting for some organic apples to appear, that I might do all the things you are doing, too.

    Reply
  27. Tina Dill says

    September 18, 2010 at 8:21 am

    My favorite eating apple is the Golden Supreme. To make applesauce we mix Jonathan and McIntosh. My husband likes it tart!

    Reply
  28. Anne says

    September 18, 2010 at 8:37 am

    I don’t know of any organic apple orchards in my area. Does anyone know if there is a database online?

    Reply
    • Bekki says

      September 18, 2010 at 8:47 am

      Pickyourown.org lists farms by each state. Some are organic some are not but at least its a start.

      Reply
  29. Melanie says

    September 18, 2010 at 8:41 am

    I’m with you, Laura – Gala are my favorite! I love yellow delicious too, but any apple is good!

    Reply
  30. Bekki says

    September 18, 2010 at 8:46 am

    I love Honey Crisp for eating and Granny Smith for pies. When it comes to applesauce I mix, McIntosh, Empire, Smokehouse, and Golden Delicious, those are the apples I am growing but my trees are to young to produce nuch fruit yet. I’ll do at least 6 bushels this year for applesauce, jelly, butter and fruit leather. One can hever have enough apples! I am looking forward to your pie filling recipe!

    Reply
  31. Kari says

    September 18, 2010 at 9:01 am

    I love all kinds of apples and am usually in hog heaven when apple season rolls around…makes the end of watermelon season a little more bearable. If I had to pick a favorite, it would have to be Pink Ladies. I’m just starting the whole Nourishing Traditions lifestyle so I have never bought organic before. I’m not looking forward to the extra expense because my family really goes through the apples. I live in the Texas panhandle…not exactly the heart of apple country.

    Reply
  32. Kori says

    September 18, 2010 at 9:03 am

    Gala – by far! But I don’t guess they grow well in AR because I can only find them at the traditional grocery store. :( I am curious how you store apples in your house so they don’t turn mealy and mushy too fast! In a couple of days mine start to change.
    Kori

    Reply
  33. Wendy says

    September 18, 2010 at 9:04 am

    Sauce: Macintosh
    Eating: Honeycrisp and Regent
    Pie filling: Harlson and Jonagold

    Those are what I prefer, but when my grandparents call and tell me they have apples for me I take whatever they give. Gotta love free apples! (They used to own an apple orchard, but have since retired. Now they have about 6 HUGE apple trees. I recently went and got a half bushel of Macintosh for sauce.) I can’t wait until all the other apples are ready to pick!

    Reply
  34. Rebecca K says

    September 18, 2010 at 9:13 am

    Pink lady, honey crisp and my standby is fuji, always available :-) i like gala too.

    Reply
  35. Theresa says

    September 18, 2010 at 9:28 am

    Mmmm…my favorite apples are FREE ones! Of course I do love Gala’s and they don’t seem to grow here :( But, I LOVE Fuji and they DO grow here! I have bags of apples coming out my ears here too. I got a call last week that my Aunt needed her trees picked before the birds attacked them all! I even shared the wealth as they were free :) I will juice most of them, dehydrate some, just plain eat others and make a pie in there somewhere… Not sure about canning, I haven’t tried it yet and am a tad scared! Plus, with my 2 and 3 year olds I’m not quite ready for that adventure without help!!
    We are so blessed here in So Cal. Our apples have been ready for weeks now, but we still have strawberries and watermelons aplenty too!!! In fact, at my local (year-round) farmer’s mkt I can get strawberries pretty much EVERY week! Ahhh, it’s a rough life, but I can get used to it!!! LOL

    Reply
  36. Alicia says

    September 18, 2010 at 9:44 am

    My favorite is Ida Red. Why? They have a good flavor, but the reason I like them is because I can buy several cases in the fall and keep them in my cold garage all winter and they’re still in pretty good shape when we finish them up in May or even June!

    Reply
  37. Joanna says

    September 18, 2010 at 10:11 am

    For eating and baking the absolute best are Arkansas Black. I’ve never seen this type outside of a NC orchard, but they are perfect! The skin is a beautiful deep burgundy and they are the just perfect sweetness. Every fall I go to the Skytop Orchard in Hendersonville, NC (I live in SC). It is in the Blue Ridge Parkway, so in addition to the apple orchard there are beautiful fall mountain views. LOVE IT!

    Reply
  38. Kimberlee says

    September 18, 2010 at 10:12 am

    Honey crisp and pink ladies are my favorite if I get to choose, but FREE is definitely tops if I don’t!

    Reply
  39. Aline says

    September 18, 2010 at 10:54 am

    Pink Lady!!!

    Reply
  40. laura says

    September 18, 2010 at 10:59 am

    Jazz apples are incredible.

    Reply
  41. Mia says

    September 18, 2010 at 11:19 am

    Ariund here we love Cameo! They stay crisp for a long time. Followed be Granny Smith and Gala.

    Reply
  42. tealady3 says

    September 18, 2010 at 11:53 am

    I’m with you,Gala

    Reply
  43. Lori says

    September 18, 2010 at 12:02 pm

    Well, it sounds like I am in the minority, but I LOVE red delicious! My husband’s favorite is Gala though. And, when I make apple pies, I use Granny Smith. I’ve tried Pink Lady apples, but they are too tart for me.

    Reply
  44. Missy says

    September 18, 2010 at 12:29 pm

    Cortland!

    Reply
  45. Courtney says

    September 18, 2010 at 1:16 pm

    We love fujis, braeburns and galas. I make applesauce in the crockpot and freeze it – yum!

    Reply
  46. Jessica says

    September 18, 2010 at 2:16 pm

    Galas are definitely my favorite too, but I enjoy them all! A little jealous of all your apples, but don’t envy you all the work getting them preserved. Have fun — oh, and those apple rings look so yummy!

    Reply
  47. Crystal says

    September 18, 2010 at 2:17 pm

    I love McIntosh but they are hard to come by!

    Reply
    • Melissa says

      September 18, 2010 at 3:31 pm

      Where are you from? I’m from Southeast PA and we have a lot of them.

      Reply
      • Danielle says

        September 18, 2010 at 4:10 pm

        Wow… small world! I’m in South Central PA!

        Reply
  48. Ezzy says

    September 18, 2010 at 2:20 pm

    I would have to say Macintosh. I enjoy them the best on apple sauce.
    I don’t turn down free apples, either.

    Reply
  49. Kristin Bailey says

    September 18, 2010 at 3:24 pm

    I love the new SweeTango apples. They are heaven. I also love Honey Crisp apples.

    Reply
  50. Rosie says

    September 18, 2010 at 3:30 pm

    Gala for sure!

    Reply
  51. Amy Sirk says

    September 18, 2010 at 4:05 pm

    We are planning to plant apple trees this fall if I can just get to it. So we’ve been trying every variety out there. So far we love Empire best for eating out of hand. Winter Banana is pretty good, too. I’d like to plant some Calville Blanc d’Hiver for cooking apples. Not sure yet what to plant for applesauce.

    Reply
  52. Danielle says

    September 18, 2010 at 4:10 pm

    My fave by far are MacIntosh!

    Reply
  53. sommer says

    September 18, 2010 at 5:19 pm

    I just came to see if you had any good apple recipes to use for the 40 lbs of apples we picked today. We must be on the same wavelength!! We didn’t get our apples free but for 99 cents/lb it wasn’t a bad deal at all! DH is in the process of making an apple pie and I plan to make applesauce for sure! I can’t wait to see the recipe you have for apple pie filling (if you decide to share!). Love your blog!!

    Reply
  54. Crystal says

    September 18, 2010 at 6:09 pm

    I am from Michigan, so my absolute, without a doubt, favorites are MacIntosh! Oh, I’m drooling just *thinking* about them. However, here in Utah it’s extremely difficult to find Macs as they bruise very easily. They have *THE* best flavor when they are picked fresh, but they do not keep for long at all! (I eat them up too quickly to worry about that though! ;O)

    I love apple season. We were so pleased this last week on our trip to Costco to find organic apples back again! The first apples of the season – they sure are a treat and make you glad you waited. I can’t wait for my friend’s trees to be ready. Sure wishing I had my own land right now… :O)

    Reply
  55. Julie says

    September 18, 2010 at 6:11 pm

    Jonathon are a favorite handed down by my precious Grandma! She said they always made the best pies! They also make pretty pink applesauce. Along with Jonathon, I love Cortland, Macintosh and Yes, I love Gala for eating! Fuji is also a really good, sweet, eating apple! Have a fun apple week!

    Reply
  56. melanie says

    September 18, 2010 at 6:21 pm

    I think I might love every apple in its season but red delicious. I remember craving galas with my fourth pregnancy =) Enjoy!

    Reply
  57. Becky A. says

    September 18, 2010 at 7:11 pm

    I like every apple except Red Delicious. I think Macintosh are my favorites, but I like Rome, and Gala, and Pink Lady, and sometimes Granny Smith. :) I got a bushel of seconds at a local organic orchard and made 12qt. of applesauce for less than $10. Next week I go for Gala to slice and freeze. After that, I’ll get Macintosh to dry. I LOVE apple season!

    Reply
  58. Kelley says

    September 18, 2010 at 7:46 pm

    Hubby likes Granny Smiths. I’m partial to Pink Ladies, Honey Crisps, and Ida Reds. The kids will eat any kind!

    Reply
  59. Brighid says

    September 19, 2010 at 12:14 am

    I just don’t like Red Delicious. Last time we picked apples we got MacIntoshes. I’m hoping to go tomorrow and pick more.

    As for apple pie recipes – I use the spice-smeared copy found in my Betty Crocker cookbook.

    I also make apple butter and applesauce using my crockpots. And we have a handy clamp-on apple peeler which makes going through many bags of apples easier.

    There’s an apple orchard where we used to pick where they give you plastic bag liners for 5 gallon buckets. With two teenage boys, you can pick a serious amount of apples.

    Reply
  60. Stephanie says

    September 19, 2010 at 6:43 am

    My very favorite apple is Gala. I have 8 huge bags sitting in my kitchen just waiting for me to make applesauce and apple jelly. YUM…once you’ve had REAL applesauce how can you ever go back? Oh my, oh my, the apple jelly, it is bit of work but oh so worth it. I love Gala apples to make my applesauce with because I don’t have to use any sweeteners at all. Mom made the apple jelly last year so she used sugar, but this year I’m going to try honey granules.

    Reply
  61. Heather says

    September 19, 2010 at 7:30 am

    Golden Delicious are by far my favorite! I don’t mind gala either! there aren’t many i don’t like, but i don’t particulary care for red delicious and granny smith. i like a sweet apple!

    Reply
  62. Gwen says

    September 19, 2010 at 8:29 am

    I love all types of apples, so I am not sure I have a favorite due to taste, but free ones sure taste good. I am going to go out to me tree today and pick a bunch. I am thinking of trying drying apples and maybe make sauce again this year.

    Reply
  63. Erica says

    September 19, 2010 at 8:35 am

    We are big fans of Sweet 16’s. We’re from Minnesota, though, where it seems lots of great apple varieties come from (thank you, University of MN!). The orchard we went to yesterday had unfortunately suffered terribly in a 10 minute hail storm early in the summer, so their apples are quite dinged up. We were glad, since the price was lower, but they are suffering, surely.

    Reply
  64. Lyn says

    September 20, 2010 at 11:36 pm

    I like pink ladies, fujis, winter banana and galas. But my faves are ginger golds, which are just in season now! We live in the self-proclaimed apple capital of the world, so there are so very many varieties from which to choose!

    Used to be we were all fujis, but now my kids are total apple snobs. They go through phases of what they really like.

    Each year at Christmas the boys get to pick one food item for the day. One of my sons picks a specific variety of apple each year.

    Last year I canned apple sauce, apple butter, apples packed in light syrup for apple cake, apple juice and peach apple salsa. Can’t wait to get to it all again this year!

    Reply
  65. ChristineM says

    October 3, 2011 at 10:59 am

    Don’t forget you can use the peels and cores to make apple peel jelly. Boil 6c peels/cores to 2-3c water, strain, add desired sweetness and boil until thickened. Apple peels/cores have a natural pectin that it should thicken and set, if not thickening add pectin.

    Reply

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