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Daily Dish the Sonoma Market blog

apples
apples

Fall Apples

All You Need to Know

Please note that this is an older article. Any products or services pictured or described may have changed or may no longer be available. Thank you for visiting!

The sheer number of apple varieties we carry in our produce department can sometimes seem overwhelming. Which apples are best for baking, and which are tart, and which are sweet? Check out this handy guide to all our favorite apple varieties for fall—after this, you’ll never confuse a Braeburn with a Jonagold again!

The sheer number of apple varieties we carry in our produce department can sometimes seem overwhelming. Which apples are best for baking, which are tart, and which are sweet? Check out this handy guide to all our favorite apple varieties for fall—after this, you’ll never confuse a Braeburn with a Jonagold again!

Braeburn

Very firm, aromatic, sweet–tart flavor, and juicy

Best Uses

  • pies
  • sauces
  • baking
  • freezing

Red Delicious

Crunchy and mildly sweet

Best Uses

  • salads

Honeycrisp

Sweet, yet slightly tart

Best Uses

  • pies
  • baking
  • salads 

Jonagold

Sweet–tart, and crisp

Best Uses

  • pies
  • baking
  • salads

Granny Smith

Very tart, all purpose

Best Uses

  • pies
  • sauces
  • baking
  • salads
  • freezing

Golden Delicious

All purpose, mellow and not too sweet

Best Uses

  • pies
  • sauces
  • baking
  • salads
  • freezing

Pink Lady

Crisp, tangy, tart and sweet

Best Uses

  • pies
  • sauces
  • baking
  • salads
  • freezing

Gala

Sweet and semi–crisp

Best Uses

  • pies
  • sauces
  • baking
  • salads

Fuji

Crisp, super–sweet, holds its texture when baked

Best Uses

  • pies
  • baking
  • salads
  • freezing 

Ambrosia

Sweet, low acidity, doesn't brown too quickly

Best Uses

  • paired with cheese 

Crab Apples

Very tart flavor, not recommended for eating raw

Best Uses

  • pickling
  • ciders
  • jelly
  • chutney 

Jazz

Tangy, sweet with a nice crunch

Best Uses

  • pies
  • baking
  • salads

 McIntosh

Very delicate with a soft bite

Best Uses

  • breaks down when cooked
  • blend with other apples for baking

Gravenstein

Super tart, short season of availability

Best Uses

  • sauces
  • baking
  • ciders

Pippin

Very crisp and tart

Best Uses

  • baking

Rome

Firm with a subtle flavor that develops when cooked

Best Uses

  • pies
  • baking 

Arkansas Black

Super dark red, tart but mellows with age, stores well

Best Uses

  • pies

Cameo

Sweet with a pleasing crunch

Best Uses

  • pies
  • sauces
  • baking
  • freezing 

Pacific Rose

Thin–skinned, firm, crunchy and sweet

Best Uses

  • pies
  • baking
  • salads