The Big Apple Taste List! [89+ Varieties and their uses]

Apple taste list! When most people think of apples, a few common types might come to mind: Red Delicious, Granny Smith, and maybe Fuji. But did you know there are over 7,500 apple varieties grown around the world?

In “The Big Apple Taste List,” we’re diving deep into 89+ of these varieties, highlighting their unique flavors, textures, and best uses. From apples ideal for fresh snacking to those perfect for baking or juicing, our guide will expand your apple knowledge and inspire your next fruit-filled adventure.

Let’s get started and explore the juicy world of apples!

The Best-Tasting Apples for Eating Raw

While many apples shine in pies, crisps, and sauces, there’s a special category that’s purely about the immediate bite: those best for eating fresh. These apples offer an unbeatable burst of flavor and a satisfying crunch right off the tree or from the fruit bowl.

In this section, we’ll guide you through the top apple varieties that are simply perfect for enjoying in their natural state. Whether you’re packing a lunch, grabbing a quick snack, or looking for the ideal fruit plate addition, these juicy selections won’t disappoint!

1. Ambrosia: A naturally sweet apple with a honey-like flavor and a hint of vanilla. Its smooth, glossy skin covers a crisp and juicy flesh that’s perfect for fresh eating.
2. Braeburn: Balanced mix of sweet and tart; firm and juicy. Braeburn is great for eating raw as well as in baking.
3. Cameo: Sweet with light tart undertones and hints of honey. Good for munching fresh or for cooking.
4. Cortland: Mild sweetness with subtle tartness. Shines in fruit salads and baking.
5. Crispin (Mutsu): Juicy and crisp, with balanced flavors. This one’s a versatile apple! Great for eating raw, baking, and juicing.
6. Empire: Sweet with mild tartness. Delicious raw or for cider-making.
7. Envy: Exceptional sweetness with a delicious, juicy texture. Fantastic apple taste for eating fresh.
8. Fuji: Bursting with sweetness and hints of citrus. Who doesn’t love the Fuji apple? It’s excellent for eating raw, baking, and for juicing.
9. Gala: Delightful sweetness with vanilla hints. Performs well in apple sauce, too!
10. Golden Delicious: The Golden Delicious really is delicious! Great apple taste for fresh eating, baking, and juicing.
11. Honeycrisp: Renowned for its incredible juiciness and crisp texture, this apple offers a delightful blend of honey-like sweetness with a subtle tart kick, making it a favorite for fresh eating. Eat them raw or turn them into cider.
12. Jazz: Delightful blend of sweetness and tartness. It’s one of our favorite apples for a snack.
13. Jonagold: A juicy hybrid of Jonathan and Golden Delicious. It offers a balanced blend of tartness and honeyed sweetness, perfect for eating raw, cooking, and juicing.
14. Koru: Originating from New Zealand, this apple boasts a crisp texture and a unique taste, blending sweet and tart with hints of honey and orange.
15. Lady Alice: A naturally sweet apple with a hint of tartness, characterized by its dense and crisp texture, and a rich, lingering aftertaste that’s slightly citrusy. Suitable for fresh eating and baking.
16. Opal: A bright yellow apple with a distinctively crisp bite and a sweet, floral taste. Resistant to browning when cut, it’s ideal for salads and snacking without the rush.
17. Pacific Rose: A fusion of Gala and Splendour apples, this variety has rosy-red skin and refreshingly sweet, crisp flesh. It might remind you a little of summer roses, making it a delightful choice for fresh eating.
18. Piñata: A crisp apple with flavors that remind you of honey and hints of banana. It’s sweet but has a bit of tartness, making it a great snack. Delicious in fruit salad, too!
19. Pink Lady (Cripps Pink): A crunchy apple with a tangy bite that’s balanced by its natural sweetness. It has a bright pink skin and is perfect for snacking, cider-making, and baking. Don’t miss our complete guide to what Pink Lady apples taste like!
20. Red Delicious: A popular apple known for its deep red skin. It has a mild sweetness and a slightly soft texture, making it a go-to for many as a simple, fresh snack.
21. RubyFrost: A deep red apple that’s both tasty and versatile. It’s great for munching on its own or tossing into a baked treat.
22. SnapDragon: Bright and sweet with a hint of spice. This apple is a crunchy treat perfect for a fresh snack.
23. SugarBee: Really lives up to its name; it’s super sweet, almost like honey. Ideal for those who want a straightforward, sweet snack.
24. Sweetango: A sweet apple that surprises with a splash of citrus. It’s refreshing on a hot day or added to a summer salad.
25. Tango: A crisp apple that’s full of flavor. It’s snappy and fun to eat, making it a favorite for a quick bite.
26. Zestar!: It’s the best of both worlds: sweet and a little tart. Great for eating fresh or adding some zest to your baked dishes.
27. Cosmic Crisp: A deep red apple with a balanced taste. Whether you’re biting into one fresh or cooking it up, it’s reliably good.
28. EverCrisp: True to its name, it’s always crispy and sweet. Perfect for those who want a no-fuss, tasty apple.
29. Granny Smith: The green apple everyone knows. It’s tart and tangy, making it a favorite for pies, snacks, or even a zingy cider.
30. McIntosh: Juicy with a tangy twist. It’s delicious on its own or mashed up into a comforting applesauce.

The Best Apple Varieties for Baking

Here are some of the best apple taste varieties for baking!

1. Arkansas Black: Starts off with a pronounced tartness but undergoes a flavor transformation in the oven, becoming sweeter and even more aromatic.
2. Baldwin: A dual-purpose apple that offers a harmonious blend of sweetness and tartness. It maintains its structure when baked, making it a reliable choice for pies and crisps.
3. Calville Blanc d’Hiver: Celebrated especially for apple tarts, this apple blends spicy notes with a tangy bite, making your desserts stand out.
4. Esopus Spitzenburg: A favorite for those who like depth in flavor. Its rich and slightly spicy character makes it a perfect fit for cakes and breads that need an extra layer of flavor.
5. Gravenstein: With its hint of tartness, this variety melts into a deliciously smooth consistency when cooked, making it a top contender for sauces and pies.
6. Haralson: Notably tart on its own, it gains a beautifully soft and juicy texture when baked or cooked without losing its identity.
7. Idared: It starts off tangy, and when baked, it turns soft but still keeps its unique flavor in pies.
8. King David: This apple offers a unique wine-like flavor that enriches baked desserts, elevating the overall taste.
9. Melrose: Mildly sweet, this apple finds its true calling when you pair it with spices. Think of a dessert filled with cinnamon, nutmeg, and this apple’s own sugary goodness.
10. Newton Pippin: Appreciated for its firmness and tartness, this apple holds its shape during baking, ensuring your dish has great texture and character.
11. Northern Spy: The quintessential pie apple! With a balance of sweet and tart, it transforms baked goods into delicious masterpieces.
12. Rome Beauty: Boasting a subtle flavor, its strength lies in retaining its shape during baking, making it the apple of choice for whole-baked apple dishes.
13. Roxbury Russet: This tart apple holds up well in baking, giving pies and crisps a strong, tasty flavor.
14. Sierra Beauty: Its crisp, tangy profile becomes even juicier when baked, giving a zesty flavor that’s hard to forget.
15. Spartan: A delightful mix of sweet and tart, it softens beautifully when baked, resulting in pies and crumbles that melt in your mouth.
16. Stayman Winesap: A juicy apple with a sharp tang that makes baked dishes really stand out.
17. Wolf River: A hint of tartness and impressive size means this apple is ideal for those larger dessert portions like dumplings.
18. Winesap: Brings a spicy, tart kick to the table! This apple ensures your pies aren’t just sweet but also intriguingly flavorful.
19. York Imperial: This apple starts with a mild sweetness, but its true magic is how it bakes to soft, tender perfection.
20. Bramley’s Seedling: Renowned for its high acidity. When you bake it, it gets a tangy yet fluffily soft texture.

Best Apples for Cider Making

This list includes apples that are especially good for making cider. People love them because they bring out the best flavors in the drink. Each apple type has its own unique apple taste, making the cider experience special.

1. Ashmead’s Kernel: This apple has a strong flavor that’s great for cider, giving it a deeper taste. It stands out and can change the entire profile of your cider mix.
2. Binet Rouge: Used often in French cider, this apple gives the drink a solid, full feel. It has a traditional taste that’s both familiar and comforting.
3. Brown Snout: Popular in England, it offers a rich flavor in traditional ciders. Its smooth texture and taste have made it a go-to for years.
4. Chisel Jersey: This apple is loved in England for how smoothly it finishes in ciders. It’s the kind of apple that’s subtle but makes a big difference.
5. Cox’s Orange Pippin: Good to eat on its own, but it also adds a nice scent to ciders. It’s versatile and appreciated both in food and drinks.
6. Dabinett: This apple’s full-bodied flavor makes English cider taste richer. It’s the kind of apple taste that fills out a cider’s flavor profile.
7. Ellis Bitter: A mainstay in traditional ciders, it gives a strong base flavor. If you want a taste that’s grounded and robust, this is a top choice.
8. Foxwhelp: An old cider apple that gives drinks a fresh, sharp twist. It’s a refreshing break from the sweeter varieties, offering a crisp edge.
9. Golden Russet: This apple makes cider taste rich and sweet, with a hint of aroma. It’s for those who enjoy a fragrant and full-bodied drink.
10. Harrison: Brought back for its strong cider flavor, it makes drinks taste very rich. It’s an old variety with a legacy of flavor.
11. Herefordshire Redstreak: Perfect for single apple ciders, it mixes sweet and tart. It’s balanced in a way that’s both refreshing and flavorful.
12. Kingston Black: A top cider apple with a varied flavor that’s both sharp and deep. Its complex profile is why it’s so well-known.
13. Medaille d’Or: This French apple makes cider taste balanced and smooth. It adds a touch of international flair to any cider mix.
14. Michelin: Often mixed with other apples, it makes ciders feel richer. It’s about adding body and depth, ensuring the cider isn’t too light.
15. Muscat de Bernay: This apple adds a spicy touch to cider mixes. Even though it’s bittersweet, it has a distinct and memorable flavor.
16. Porter’s Perfection: Known for its detailed flavors and sharpness in cider. It’s an apple that introduces multiple notes in one bite.
17. Somerset Redstreak: This apple adds a mix of fruity and sharp flavors to ciders. It’s both vibrant and crisp, making it a favorite.
18. Stembridge Cluster: Small in size, but it sure adds a big, bittersweet flavor to ciders. It’s proof that great things often come in small packages.
19. Sweet Alford: Just as the name says, this apple gives English ciders a sweet boost. It’s all about enhancing the natural sweetness of the cider.
20. Yarlington Mill: This apple is a favorite for its deep flavor, adding layers to cider drinks.

Many of these apple varieties may not be the usual types of apples in the fruit bowl but they’re stars in the cider world. These apples have a mix of strong sweet and sharp tastes that make a lot of favorite ciders. Whether mixed with others or used on their own, they’re key in making special drinks.

Apples for Apple Sauce

Here’s a list of apples that are celebrated for making super tasty applesauce. Many of these apples break down nicely during cooking and offer flavors that are delicious in sauce form:

1. Braeburn: A sweet-tart apple taste balance, which makes its sauce rich with a hint of spice.
2. Cortland: This apple doesn’t brown quickly and gives a velvety, slightly tart sauce.
3. Crispin (Mutsu): This juicy variety brings sweetness and a bit of tartness, resulting in a balanced applesauce.
4. Empire: A cross between McIntosh and Red Delicious, it creates a pleasantly sweet sauce.
5. Fuji: Naturally sweet and juicy, you might find you need little to no added sugar with this one.
6. Golden Delicious: A classic choice, producing a sweet, mellow sauce that’s versatile for many dishes.
7. Gravenstein: A favorite for sauce due to its juicy nature and perfect balance of sweetness and acidity.
8. Idared: Mixing sweetness and tang, it cooks down to a pale pink, smooth sauce.
9. Jonagold: A blend of Jonathan and Golden Delicious, this apple brings a honeyed sweetness to applesauce.
10. Jonathan: Offers a slightly tart flavor, making for a zesty applesauce.
11. Lodi: An early-season apple that’s tart and soft, perfect for a tangy applesauce.
12. Macoun: Offers a sweet-tart flavor, yielding a sauce that has a bit of a bite.
13. McIntosh: A classic sauce apple, it breaks down beautifully, producing a tangy and tender sauce.
14. Newtown Pippin: Delivers a crisp, slightly tart sauce with hints of pine and citrus.
15. Paula Red: Breaks down easily during cooking, creating a naturally smooth and slightly tart sauce.
16. Rome: Holds its shape relatively well but can be cooked down into a thick, sweet sauce.
17. Transparent: An early apple variety perfect for a tangier sauce.
18. Winesap: Provides a tangy and slightly wine-like flavor to the applesauce.
19. York Imperial: This apple offers a tangy sweetness, which adds depth to sauces.
20. Zestar!: Combines sweetness with a hint of brown sugar flavor, resulting in a tasty and distinctive applesauce.

When making applesauce, remember that the variety of apple you use will largely dictate the amount of sugar or sweetener you may want to add. Mixing two or more apple varieties can also lead to a richer flavor profile.

Always taste as you cook and adjust according to your preferences!

Other Apple Dishes

Apples are a staple in many kitchens, not just for their crunchy snacking delight but for the wide range of dishes they can create. Picking the right apple variety can make a world of difference in taste and texture!

Apple Pies & Tarts

When you’re baking pies or tarts, the right apple can mean the difference between a soggy mess and flaky perfection.

• Granny Smith apples are the go-to for many bakers because of their tart flavor and firm texture.
• Add in some Braeburn for a deeper taste or mix in:
• Honeycrisp for a touch of juiciness.

And a quick tip? Combining apple varieties in pies gives a unique flavor profile that’s sure to impress.

Apple Salads

A crunchy apple can transform a regular salad into something special.

• Fuji apples are known for their solid crunch, and their natural sweetness balances out the greens.
• Gala apples, with their mild flavor, complement both veggies and proteins, making them great in salads with chicken or nuts.

Apple Butter & Jams

If you’re looking to spread some apple goodness on your morning toast, you can’t beat homemade apple butter or jam.

• McIntosh melts down beautifully, giving you a smooth texture.
• And the Cortland? It’s a slow-browning apple, ensuring your jam retains that fresh apple color.

Roasted or Grilled Apples

If you’re looking to switch up your sides, roasted or grilled apples might be the way to go.

• Rome apples hold their shape and get a caramelized exterior when roasted.
• And Golden Delicious? Their sweet flavor gets enhanced when exposed to the grill’s flames.

Apple Chips

Looking for a healthier snack option? Try baking some apple chips.

• Red Delicious apples, with their natural sweetness, are perfect for this. Slice them thin, sprinkle a touch of cinnamon if you fancy, and bake.

Apple Smoothies

Kick off your mornings with an apple-infused smoothie.

• Gala or Fuji apples are sweet, so you might find you can skip any added sugars. Plus, they blend smoothly, making sure your drink isn’t gritty.

Apples offer so much more than just a quick bite! The right variety and apple taste, matched with the right dish, can really make your culinary creations shine. If you’re ever stumped on which apple to use, don’t hesitate to ask local farmers or fellow cooks—they’ve got a wealth of apple knowledge to share.

Finally, remember that the sweetness and flavors of apples can vary slightly based on where and how they are grown. It’s always a good idea to sample apples from local orchards to find your personal favorites!