by Purple Carrot

In the U.S., over 7,500 apple producers grow 240 million bushels of apples a year with an estimated value of $4 billion! There are over 7,500 varieties of apples in the world, but in American there just over 100 varieties of commercially-grown apples.

It’s almost impossible to pick a favorite apple, but that won’t stop us from trying! Here are our Top 10 Must Pick: 

1. Red Delicious apples are perhaps the most iconic apple in America. Originally grown in Iowa, they are known for their bright, shiny skin and big crunch! Can’t you just hear it? Red Delicious make a great snack on their own, but they’re also delicious in salads. Just don’t put ’em in a pie, they turn to mush way to quickly. 
2. Ginger Golds are one of the first apples harvested in fall. They’re sweet with just a little tartness and a crisp bite. Ginger Golds are great for snacking, but their superpower is how slowly they turn brown once cut. Try them on a non-dairy cheese plate or in salads.
3. Cripps Pink apples have this tasty sweet-tart flavor balance and firm texture that makes them irresistible. It also makes them super versatile. Cripps are great in salads, sauces, pies, or almost any baked good. Cripps are also known as Pink Lady apples.
4. Granny Smiths have an unmistakable tart taste, and that’s exactly why we love them! These green beauties came to the U.S. via Australia, and we owe the Aussies our thanks! Can you imagine making a pie without them?
5. Paula Reds have a sweet-tart taste, and some people even detect a bit of a strawberry flavor. They are known to be super juicy, and as a result are a fantastic fruit to use for applesauce.
6. Honey Crisps are on everyone’s lips for good reason: they’re truly crispy and have honey tasting notes. Throw one in your bag for when you need a snack, but also consider using them to make applesauce, they’re ideal for it!
7. Gala Apples made their way to the U.S. all the way from New Zealand. Not only are they great to grab and eat—galas are crisp, fragrant, and juicy—but they’re also perfect in salads. Toss ‘em with your favorite lettuce, non-dairy cheese, nuts, and a vinaigrette for a tasty dish or side.
8. Matsu Apples are also known as Crispin. These apples are ideal for pies because they hold on to their shape but don’t have a tart taste like the other structurally solid apple, the Granny Smith.
9. Braeburn Apples are the all-around winner. Braeburns are sweet with tender skin and a super appealing aroma, making it a great snack. But, it’s the braeburn’s concentrated flavor that makes it a winner in desserts. When you add them to your favorite bakery item, you’ll delight in the taste!
10. Egremont Russet Apples are quite unique, and worth hunting down. A dull goldish-yellow color, the skin has a sandpaper-ish texture. On the inside, these apples are best describe as moist, rather than juicy with a delicate, nutty flavor that’s a surprisingly sweet. It’s a bit like a firm pear, actually. They’re great in salads or paired with non-dairy cheese.