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Apple Questions

11 years ago

PYO apple season is just getting started here in Virginia and I wondered if the very helpful folks here could help with some questions I have...

1. Which are good "keeper" apples? For instance, a local place has Golden Delicious and Gala, neither of which keep well long term (I think) but which ones do? Rome? Stayman?

2. Which apples are best for drying? I just ordered a dehydrator from Amazon and I'm very excited to be using it soon!

2. Applesauce or apple pie filling (canned, both). Does it matter which type? I don't remember my mom getting a specific apple for applesauce and she canned a lot of it, but I can't ask her as she's gone now.

Thanks so much, this website is full of very helpful folks and I have learned so much from you!

Marcy

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Comments (5)

malna
11 years ago
For keeping, we always liked Winesap or Stayman apples. We used to get Baldwin apples, but I haven't seen any of those in years.

For dehydrating, any firm apple will work. I think I used Fuji or Galas last year along with some Granny Smiths.

For applesauce (I make apple butter), I use anything. Actually, I think a mixture is better. The nice man at the Farmer's Market sells me seconds - apples he doesn't want to sell because of spots, they're misshapen or whatever. I get a big bag of all different kinds.
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digdirt2
11 years ago
Personally I never use either of the Delicious varieties for anything. There are just so many much better varieties out there.

Like malna we prefer using a broad variety of different apples for both sauce and apple butter - as many different ones as you can get. But we always include some Gala too.

Storage - of course it all depends on the storage conditions you use but we are happy with Jonathan, Cortland, Rome, Winesap, Granny Smith. As a very general rule the more round, less oval, the apple shape the longer it will store.

Dave

PS: many previous discussions here about best/favorite apple variety too that the search will pull up if interested.
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readinglady
11 years ago
I would also rely upon the recommendations of the growers/sellers. They know their apples best. Regional conditions can be quite different, even season to season.

Carol
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User
11 years ago
Another general rule is the later the apple, the longer the storage.
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cjzimmer
11 years ago
I usually get Golden Delicious for fresh eating. We like the taste of those and they are very common in my area so I can get them cheap. I could get Red Delicious too but I think those are the nastiest tasting apples I've ever had and would rather have no apples than eat Red Delicious (obviously this is a personal preference but no here likes the Reds). I know I've picked up a few other varieties later in the season but I'm drawing a complete blank on them.

For applesauce my preference is Cortlands. But I let them sit out until they are getting soft (and even slightly wrinkled). It makes the sweetest applesauce, no sugar needed. I have also used Macintosh or Wolfs but I don't think the flavor is as good on those.
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