1. Granny Smith
These world-famous green apples have Australian origins. According to legend, Maria Ann Smith found an apple seedling near her house in 1868. Shortly after that, it began to bear light green colored apples, which proved perfect for both eating and cooking. Granny Smith apples were first commercially grown in New South Wales in 1895, and today, they are one of the most popular apple varieties in the world, characterized by their green exterior with a slight pink blush, bright white flesh, and firm texture.
The flavor can best be described as crisp with an intense tartness that's reminiscent of lemons. When used raw, these apple pair well with sharp cheeses. Granny Smiths also hold their shape exceptionally well during baking, so they are primarily used in pies, cobblers, cakes, muffins, and tarts.
2. Gala
Gala is a variety of (typically) round-shaped apples characterized by their reddish-yellow color and a firm, crisp, yellow-tinged interior. Their flavor is slightly sweet with hints of vanilla, along with an accompanying floral aroma. The apples were discovered in 1934 in New Zealand by an orchardist named J.
H. Kidd. Today, Gala apples are usually consumed fresh or used in salads and sauces.
3. Fuji Apples
Fuji is a Japanese variety of apple that was produced by cross-pollination of the Red Delicious and Virginia Ralls Janet varieties back in the late 1930s. This apple is distinguished by a red-yellow skin surrounding its creamy white flesh renowned for its exceptional sweetness, low acidity, juiciness, firmness, and crispiness.
Owing to their excellent characteristics and long shelf-life, these refreshing and fragrant apples are among the most commonly grown apple varieties worldwide. They're expensive because the climate in Japan is not suitable for growing apples, so each one needs to be wrapped in cellophane while it's still growing on trees.
The apples' name is believed to have been derived from Fujisaki, the home of the Tohoku Research Station, where Fuji apples were first cultivated. Apart from consuming them raw as a sweet, juicy snack, the apples can also be enjoyed with sharp cheeses, and they are suitable for cooking in various ways, including baking, roasting, or boiling.
Fuji apples are incredibly versatile and can be used in sweet and savory dishes such as pies, strudels, pizza toppings, quiches, sauces, soups, salads, or curries. Still, they can also be made into various apple products such as candied apples, apple wine or juice, and delicious apple jams.
4. Red Delicious
Red Delicious is one of the world's most common apple varieties, dating back to 1880 when Jesse Hiatt discovered it in Iowa. The apples were first known as Hawkeye, then Stark Delicious, and it wasn't until the emergence of Golden Delicious that these apples were renamed Red Delicious.
They have a bright red color, medium size, and a tall conical shape. The flavor is sweet but very mild, slightly reminiscent of over-ripe melons. The texture of the flesh is juicy and somewhat crisp, sometimes cardboardy, while the skin is usually callous.
However, due to its bland flavor, some believe that the good flavors of Red Delicious have been bred out over the years at the expense of its nice visual appearance. It's recommended to use these apples in salads.
5. Golden Delicious Apples
Golden Delicious is an apple variety that's believed to be a product of unintentional breeding between Grimes Golden and Golden Reinette. It has no connection to the Red Delicious. The original tree was discovered in West Virginia at the end of the 19th century, and it's been the official state fruit since 1995.
The apples are large and yellow-green. The flavor is delightful, slightly tart, and aromatic, while the flesh is white and the texture is crisp and firm. It's recommended to use Golden Delicious apples in salads or prepare apple sauce and apple butter.
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