#applevarieties

Apples are the staple ingredient used in many fall recipes. They can be eaten fresh, used for baking, made into sauce, or even sliced up to spice up your fall cocktail.

The ways to prepare or eat apples are limitless, especially in New Jersey where there are over 30 varieties to “pick” from. Of the over 30 apple varieties grown in New Jersey, the Winesap is the oldest, dating back to late 1700s. Other popular varieties include Red and Golden Delicious, McIntosh, and Granny Smith. But to give consumers a larger assortment of this popular fruit, researchers are always testing for new varieties.

Use this variety guide to help perfect your favorite fall recipes.

CAMEO

Sweet, crisp taste; reminiscent of red delicious

Excellent for eating fresh, pies, and desserts

Availability: Mid October-November

CORTLAND

Slightly tart taste

Excellent for eating, salads, sauces, pies, and baking

Good for freezing

Availability: Late September-October

EMPIRE

Juicy blend of sweet-tart taste; cross between McIntosh and Red Delicious

Excellent for fresh eating, salads, baking pies, sauces, and freezing

Availability: Early September

FUJI

Very sweet taste

Excellent for fresh eating, salads, and sauce

Long storage life

Availability: Mid October

GALA

Juicy, mildly sweet flavor

Excellent for fresh eating and salads

Availability: Late August-September

GINGER GOLD

Sweet, mildly tart

Excellent for desserts

Availability: August-September

GOLDEN DELICIOUS

Sweet taste, yellowish flesh

Excellent for fresh eating, salads, sauces, and baking pies

Good for freezing

Availability: Mid September

GRANNY SMITH

Tart taste, green skin

Good for all-purpose use: fresh eating, baking, sauce, dessert, etc.

Availability: Late October-November

HONEYCRISP

Sweet with a little, crisp tart taste

Good for desserts and sauces

Availability: September

JONAGOLD

Sweet with a hint or tartness

Excellent for fresh eating, salads, sauces, and desserts

Good for freezing

Availability: September-October

JONAMAC

Cross between McIntosh and Jonathan

Excellent for fresh eating, baking, or cooking

Availability: August-September

JONATHAN

Slightly tart taste

Good for all purpose use: fresh eating, baking, sauce, etc.

Availability: Early September-December

MACOUN

Very sweet taste

Excellent for fresh eating, sauces, and salads

Availability: Mid September- October

McINTOSH

Sweet with a slightly tart taste

Peels easy, tender, cooks quickly

Excellent for fresh eating, sauces, salads, and pies

Availability: Early September-December

PINK LADY

Golden pink with tart flavor

Excellent for fresh eating, baking, and salads

Availability: Late October-November

RED DELICIOUS

Sweet taste, low acid, most popular apple in the country

Excellent for fresh eating and salads

Availability: Mid-September

STAYMAN/STAYMAN WINESAP

Slightly tart taste

Good for all purpose use: fresh eating, salads, sauces, baking, etc.

Availability: Late September

A complete listing of where to find NJ Apples visit the Where to find New Jersey Apples page or contact: